# NTSB ERA12CA341: Czech Sport Aircraft A S Sportcruiser, N297SC, Shirley, NY, May 17, 2012

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 17, 2012, 16:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Shirley, NY
- Coordinates: 40.821388, -72.872779 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8214&lon=-72.8728&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 83675
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA341
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/83675/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83675
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA341

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after the cockpit canopy opened during the takeoff climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to securely lock the canopy 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: [Czech Sport Aircraft A S SPORTCRUISER, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0600066), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Sport Aircraft A S SPORTCRUISER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=0600066), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md)
- [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Sport Aircraft A S SPORTCRUISER, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=0600066), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Czech Sport Aircraft A S SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=0600066), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Czech Sport Aircraft A S SPORTCRUISER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=0600066), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Czech Sport Aircraft A S SPORTCRUISER, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=0600066), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Czech Sport Aircraft A S SPORTCRUISER, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=0600066), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings. He reported that he opened the canopy to vent the cockpit before takeoff; however, he was unsure if he verified that it was latched and locked. The pilot completed one takeoff and landing, and, on the next takeoff, the canopy lifted off of the frame during the initial climb. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to close the canopy and continued the climb but was unsure if the airplane would maintain clearance from trees located beyond the departure end of the runway. He banked the airplane to avoid striking trees and the airplane entered a stall. The pilot pitched the airplane down and was able to recover it from the stall; however, the airplane impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane and canopy revealed that there were no preaccident malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings. He reported that he opened the canopy to vent the cockpit prior to takeoff; however, he was unsure if he verified that it was latched and locked. The pilot completed one takeoff and landing, and on the next takeoff, the canopy lifted off of the frame during the initial climb. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to close the canopy and continued the climb, but was unsure if the airplane would maintain clearance from trees located beyond the departure end of the runway. He banked the airplane to avoid striking trees and the airplane entered a stall. The pilot pitched the airplane down, and was able to recover it from the stall; however, the airplane impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane and canopy revealed that there were no preimpact malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N297SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N297SC-2018-08-10), registration cancelled 2018-08-10, S/N 09SC282, built 2009 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT A S SPORTCRUISER
- Registry model: [Czech Sport Aircraft A S SPORTCRUISER](https://openairdocs.org/model/czech-sport-aircraft-a-s-sportcruiser) (registry code 0600066) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 09SC282
- Airframe hours: 491
- Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Mid Island Air Service
- Registered owner: Sport Flying USA Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 14, 2011
- Departed: HWV, Shirley, NY
- Destination: HWV, Shirley, NY
- Airport: HWV, Brookhaven Airport, runway 33, 4,222 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Student pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; student; medical: sport pilot; seat: left; flight hours: 33 total, 30 in this make and model, 3 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observed at: HWV

## 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 20120517028119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120517028119A), May 17, 2012: Czech Sport Aircraft A S SPORTCRUISER, Shirley, NY, Substantial damage. Student pilot-sport- pilot was on the upwind on climbout and lost control of the aircraft when canopy suddeny opened in flight. Pilot attempted a 180 degree…

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 29, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=83675. 901 KB in all.

- Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1: Submitted by Operator (item 1, .PDF, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369379&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Operator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%3A%20Submitted%20by%20Operator-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369380&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Pilot Interview Summary (item 3, .PDF, 103 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369791&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Interview%20Summary-Master.PDF
- Memorandum of Record: FAA Inspector (item 4, .PDF, 91 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369399&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%3A%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF
- Security Video of Accident Airplane Before Impact (item 5, .PDF, 17 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369400&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Security%20Video%20of%20Accident%20Airplane%20Before%20Impact-Master.PDF
- HWV Weather Observations (item 6, .PDF, 100 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40369929&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=HWV%20Weather%20Observations-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.

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