# NTSB ERA20CA303: Zenith CH601, N354DM, Punta Gorda, FL, August 29, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 29, 2020, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Punta Gorda, FL - Coordinates: 26.918888, -81.990837 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.9189&lon=-81.9908&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 101902 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA20CA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/101902/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101902 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA303 ## Probable cause An inadvertent opening of the airplane’s canopy on takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Stevens Mark ZENITH CH 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=056383T), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Stevens Mark ZENITH CH 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=056383T), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/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: Ground handling event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080); cases with it: [Stevens Mark ZENITH CH 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md?model=056383T), [All aircraft, 108 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/080/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Stevens Mark ZENITH CH 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056383T), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240); cases with it: [Stevens Mark ZENITH CH 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056383T), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Stevens Mark ZENITH CH 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=056383T), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Stevens Mark ZENITH CH 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=056383T), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Stevens Mark ZENITH CH 601XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056383T), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was also the owner/builder of the experimental airplane. He reported that the accident flight was the second flight since he completed assembly of the airplane. During takeoff, about 20 ft above ground level, the cockpit canopy “flew” forward to the full up position. The airplane immediately entered a nose-down attitude and touched back down on the runway with the propeller striking the runway. The airplane then bounced, touched down again, and skidded off the left side of the runway. The nose landing gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest upright in a grass area off the left side of the runway. The forward portion of the airplane’s fuselage was substantially damaged. The pilot further stated that the canopy latch for the airplane make and model was known to unlatch in flight, so he installed a secondary latch system when he assembled the airplane. The secondary latch system consisted of a latch and catch mechanism that could only be secured from inside the cockpit. He added that the latches had to align perfectly to work. The pilot further noted that the airframe kit manufacturer offered a modification to the canopy latching system, but the pilot had not installed it. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N354DM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N354DM), registered now, S/N 6092, built 2020 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZENITH CH601 (XL) - Registry model: [Stevens Mark ZENITH CH 601XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/stevens-mark-zenith-ch-601xl) (registry code 056383T) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Viking 130](https://openairdocs.org/engine/viking-130) (registry code 63998, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 6092 - Year built: 2020 - Airframe hours: 1 - Engines: Honda Viking 130 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2020, 1 hours before - Departed: PGD, PUNTA GORDA, FL - Destination: PGD, PUNTA GORDA, FL - Airport: PGD, Punta Gorda, runway 22, 7,193 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 7, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 262 total, 9 in this make and model, 174 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 77 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: PGD ## 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 20200829013079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200829013079A), Aug 29, 2020: Stevens Mark ZENITH CH 601XL, Punta Gorda, FL, Substantial damage. On 08/29/2020, N354DM departed Punta Gorda (pgd), FL, the PIC stated that upon initial liftoff the canopy flew open to the full up position (canopy opens… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 19, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=101902. 1.5 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 8 pages, 745 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11356266&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Interview summaries (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 54 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11356059&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Interview%20Summaries-Rel.pdf - Weather report (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11355786&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Metars-Rel.pdf - Photo array (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 597 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=11364177&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array-Rel.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.