# NTSB CEN11LA601: Van's RV-12, N73712, Windom, MN, August 29, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 29, 2011, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Windom, MN - Coordinates: 43.913333, -95.109443 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9133&lon=-95.1094&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 20, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration, Minneapolis FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81624 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN11LA601 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81624/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81624 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11LA601 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of airplane control after liftoff due to his distraction with the unsecured canopy, which he did not lock before takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Preflight or dispatch event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 355 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/030/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330) (defining event); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Vans RV-12, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0690009), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he inadvertently did not secure the canopy latch after entering the cabin. After liftoff, he noticed air entering the cockpit from the unsecured canopy. He stated that he was distracted with securing the canopy as the airplane descended toward the runway. The airplane collided with the runway as he attempted to reestablish a level flight attitude. The airplane subsequently slid off the right side of the runway into a soybean field. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded the normal operation of the airplane. Additionally, he stated that the accident could have been prevented had he focused on flying the airplane instead of attempting to secure the unlatched canopy. ## Factual narrative On August 29, 2011, at 0930 central daylight time, a Van's Aircraft RV-12 experimental light-sport airplane, N73712, was substantially damaged when it collided with the runway shortly after takeoff from Windom Municipal Airport (KMWM), Windom, Minnesota. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by the private pilot under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was operated without a flight plan. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot reported that he inadvertently did not secure the canopy latch after entering the cabin. After liftoff he noticed air entering the cockpit from the unsecured canopy. He stated that he was distracted with securing the canopy as the airplane inadvertently descended toward the runway. The airplane collided with the runway as he attempted to reestablish a level flight attitude. The airplane subsequently slid off the right side of the runway into a soybean field. The fuselage, wings, firewall, and empennage sustained substantial damage during the ground collision. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded the normal operation of the airplane. Additionally, he stated that the accident could have been prevented had he focused on flying the airplane instead of attempting to secure the unlatched canopy. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N73712](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73712), registered now, S/N 120034, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Van's Aircraft, Inc. RV-12 - Registry model: [Vans RV-12](https://openairdocs.org/model/vans-rv-12) (registry code 0690009) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 120034 - Airframe hours: 101 - Engines: Rotax 912 ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, October 21, 2010 - Departed: KMWM, Windom, MN - Destination: KMWM, Windom, MN - Airport: KMWM, Windom Municipal Airport, runway 17, 3,599 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot; last flight review October 20, 2009; seat: left; flight hours: 3,986 total, 154 in this make and model, 3,903 as pilot in command, 41 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: KMWM ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20110829019779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110829019779A), Aug 29, 2011: Vans Aircraft Inc RV-12, Windom, MN, Substantial damage. At 0930 on 8/29/2011, when airborne and climbing [privacy data omitted] noticed air coming into cockpit, because he forgot to latch canopy. While trying to… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 8, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81624. 613 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 455 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360888&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Memorandum of Conversation (Marlyn Bartsch, Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 79 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360889&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Conversation%20(Marlyn%20Bartsch,%20Pilot)-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector Statement (item 3, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360890&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Reports (item 4, .PDF, 43 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40360891&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports-Master.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.