# NTSB ERA22LA187: Lancair IV, N7KJ, Leicester, MA, April 10, 2022 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: April 10, 2022, 11:08 local (15:08 UTC) - Place: Leicester, MA · en route - Coordinates: 42.276406, -71.930749 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2764&lon=-71.9307&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104933 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA187 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104933/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104933 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA187 ## Probable cause A separation of the window from the airframe for undetermined reasons. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Windows-windshield system: door windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035630): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Parks Jerry R LANCAIR IV P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035630/cases.md?model=05625WJ), [All aircraft, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035630/cases.md) - [Not determined](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000): Not determined › Not determined · Unknown/Not determined (probable cause); cases with it: [Parks Jerry R LANCAIR IV P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md?model=05625WJ), [All aircraft, 2,247 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/05000000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Parks Jerry R LANCAIR IV P, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05625WJ), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) ## Analysis While en route the pilot reported there was a sudden explosion and the right window and portion of the right roof separated from the airplane. He performed an emergency descent and landed uneventfully. The airplane was initially documented but was repaired before a detailed postaccident examination could be completed. The airframe could not be examined, and the separated window was not located; therefore, the reason for the separation could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On April 10, 2022, about 1108 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Lancair IVP, N7KJ, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Leicester, Massachusetts. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, about 40 minutes after departure, during a cross-country flight at 16,500 ft mean sea level, there was a “sudden explosion and the right window was gone.” He performed an emergency descent and landed uneventfully. He noted that during the flight there were no pressurization issues before the window separated from the airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the right front window and portions of the roof fractured and separated from the fuselage, resulting in substantial damage (see Figure 1.) Figure 1- View of missing right front window and roof structure. (Photo courtesy of FAA) The separated window was not located; however, a FAA inspector initially documented the airplane. Before a detailed examination could be completed, repairs were made on the airplane and the original fracture surfaces were not available for examination. No maintenance records were provided. The pilot/owner stated he had ordered replacement windows, but the accident occurred before he could get them installed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7KJ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7KJ), registered now, S/N JP1994, built 1994 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: LANCAIR IV (P) - Registry model: [Parks Jerry R LANCAIR IV P](https://openairdocs.org/model/parks-jerry-r-lancair-iv-p) (registry code 05625WJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JP1994 - Year built: 1994 - Engines: Continental TSIO-550E 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 1, 2021 - Departed: LEW, Lewiston, ME - Destination: CRG, Jacksonville, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: LEW - Equipment: Data recorder, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Auto-pilot, Angle of attack indicator, ADS-B, Airframe parachute, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 80; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 3, 2021; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5,500 total, 160 in this make and model, 11 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 5.1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 16 knots, gusting 23 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft broken - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.53 inHg - Observed at: LEW - METAR: KLEW 101556Z AUTO 31016G23KT 10SM BKN047 10/00 A2953 RMK AO2 SLP008 T01000000 ## 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 20220410006089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220410006089A), Apr 10, 2022: Parks Jerry R LANCAIR IV P, North Brookfiel, MA, Substantial damage. The pilot in command was flying from klew to kcrg at FL165, weather Conditions were VMC. Cabin pressure differential was 4.9 PSI with a limit Of 5.1 PSI. In… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 2, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104933. 12.0 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 11.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16603345&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120%20form_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Pilot's statement (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16817088&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20-%20Wolf-Rel.pdf - Type club statement (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16812520&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20-%20Edwards-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 4, PDF, 4 pages, 830 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16812203&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photos-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.