# NTSB ERA10CA461: Yeager Lancair, N320CY, McMinnville, TN, September 2, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 2, 2010, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: McMinnville, TN - Coordinates: 35.698612, -85.843612 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6986&lon=-85.8436&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 13, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77183 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA461 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77183/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA461 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to properly latch the cockpit canopy prior to takeoff, resulting in his diverted attention and failure to maintain aircraft control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Yeager Donald LANCAIR 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=056284X), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Windows-windshield system: flight compartment windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Yeager Donald LANCAIR 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md?model=056284X), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Yeager Donald LANCAIR 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056284X), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Yeager Donald LANCAIR 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056284X), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Yeager Donald LANCAIR 320, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056284X), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he taxied to the runway for the purpose of performing a high speed taxi run. After an engine run-up, he latched the two canopy latches on the right side and scanned the instrument panel, noticing that the cylinder head temperature and oil temperature were rising. He stated that his attention was diverted in concern of the rising temperature and did not recall if he latched the two latches on the left side of the canopy. He started the takeoff roll and after becoming airborne, he noticed the canopy opening on the left side. The pilot attempted to latch the canopy, but realized it would take both hands, and continued to climb to pattern altitude while trimming the aircraft for better airspeed control. He then pulled the throttle back to slow the airspeed and attempted to latch the canopy. The canopy started flapping up and down, and when he tried to secure it shut with his hands he was not be able to control the airplane. He stated that debris was flying everywhere and the wind blew off his headset. When he realized that he was getting low he added full engine power and looked for a clear area; shortly thereafter the airplane collided with the ground. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he taxied to the runway to do a high speed taxi run. He performed an engine run up, and while doing a magneto test he noticed the engine was running rich and leaned the mixture and retested the magnetos. All was okay, so he continued with the check list. At this point he latched the two canopy latches on the right side and scanned the instrument panel and noticed that the head temperature and oil temperature rising. He stated that his attention was diverted in concern of the rising head temperature and did not recall if he latched the two latches on the left side of the canopy. He started the takeoff roll and after becoming airborne and climbing, he noticed the canopy coming up on the left side. The pilot attempted to latch the canopy, but realized it would take both hands, and continued to climb to pattern altitude while trimming the aircraft for better airspeed control. He then pulled the throttle back to slow down and to try to shut the canopy. The canopy started flapping up and down, and the pilot tried to hang on to the canopy, but that was causing him to not be able to control the airplane. He stated that debris was flying everywhere and the wind blew off his headset. When he realized that he was getting low he added full power and looked for a clear area. The next thing he knew was that the airplane hit the ground. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N320CY](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N320CY), registered now, S/N 384-320-139 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Yeager Inc. Lancair (320) - Registry model: [Yeager Donald LANCAIR 320](https://openairdocs.org/model/yeager-donald-lancair-320) (registry code 056284X) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 384-320-139 - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: Lycoming O320-B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Donald Yeager - Registered owner: Yeager, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 2, 2010, 1 hours before - Departed: RNC, McMinnville, TN - Destination: RNC, McMinnville, TN - Airport: RNC, Warren County Memorial Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 16, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 1,226 total, 2 in this make and model, 1,205 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: MQY, 37 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Incident 20100902045689I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100902045689I), Sep 2, 2010: Yeager Dona LANCAIR 320, Mcminnville, TN, Substantial damage. Pilot failed to latch canopy securely before take off. All latches came loose in flight, wind and debris impaired pilot's vision. When he noticed he was very… 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.