# NTSB GAA17CA272: John Murphy JSX-2, N458V, Chesterfield, MO, May 7, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 7, 2017, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC) - Place: Chesterfield, MO - Coordinates: 38.659721, -90.648056 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.6597&lon=-90.6481&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 20, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95143 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA272 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95143/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95143 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA272 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to ensure that the canopy was properly secured before takeoff, which resulted in an unstable landing flare and hard landing. ## 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 · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [John Murphy JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=05635JS), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [John Murphy JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=05635JS), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [John Murphy JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05635JS), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible; cases with it: [John Murphy JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05635JS), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot; cases with it: [John Murphy JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05635JS), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [John Murphy JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05635JS), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [John Murphy JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05635JS), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [John Murphy JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05635JS), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [John Murphy JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=05635JS), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, after takeoff, about "100 ft. above ground level," the canopy opened and the airplane became "very hard to control." He added that he was able to return to the airport to land; however, during the approach, the airplane was unstable due to the "pitching and yawing." Subsequently, during the landing flare, when he reduced engine power, the airplane touched down hard, and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane exited the runway to the right and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, after takeoff, about "100 ft. above ground level" the canopy opened and the airplane became "very hard to control". He added, that he was able to return to the airport to land, however during the approach the airplane was unstable due to the "pitching and yawing". Subsequently, during the landing flare when he reduced engine power, the airplane touched down hard and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane exited the runway to the right, and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N458V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N458V), registered now, S/N 004, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: JOHN MURPHY JSX-2 (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [John Murphy JSX-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/john-murphy-jsx-2) (registry code 05635JS) (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: 004 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 7 - Engines: PBS Velkabites TJ-100 247 lbs thrust turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, February 27, 2017 - Departed: SUS, Chesterfield, MO - Destination: SUS, Chesterfield, MO - Airport: SUS, Spirit Of St Louis, runway 8R, 7,485 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Electronic multifunction display, Airframe parachute ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 73; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, waiver time limited special; last flight review May 19, 2016; seat: center; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 10,750 total, 15 in this make and model, 10,650 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KSUS ## 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 20170507009649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170507009649A), May 7, 2017: John Murphy JSX2, Chesterfield, MO, Substantial damage. The pilot stated he departed RUNWAY26R at ksus. At 100 to 200 feet AGL the canopy popped open and he started to have control issues as he was trying to close… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 28, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95143. 1.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453814&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 341 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453815&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.