# NTSB GAA18CA104: Geldermann Bert E Lancair Legacy, N145JG, Friday Harbor, WA, January 15, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 14, 2018, 16:00 local (Jan 15, 2018, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Friday Harbor, WA - Coordinates: 48.52222, -123.024444 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5222&lon=-123.0244&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 23, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96608 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA104 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96608/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96608 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA104 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inability to maintain the landing flare, which resulted in the airplane landing hard short of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the cockpit canopy opening in flight. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Geldermann Bert E LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=05618PC), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Geldermann Bert E LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05618PC), [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 · Unintentional use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Geldermann Bert E LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=05618PC), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900) (defining event); cases with it: [Geldermann Bert E LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05618PC), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Geldermann Bert E LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05618PC), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370); cases with it: [Geldermann Bert E LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=05618PC), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Geldermann Bert E LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05618PC), [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: [Geldermann Bert E LANCAIR LEGACY, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05618PC), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, before a local flight, he placed the airplane's wing and canopy covers and his small dog in the baggage compartment. During the initial climb, after retracting the landing gear, the cockpit canopy, which tips forward for entry into the cockpit, came unlatched and opened to about a 45° angle. He attempted to close and relatch the canopy to no avail and decided to return to the departure airport. Subsequently, after extending the landing gear on final, the airplane lost speed, and the descent rate increased. He applied full power, but the airplane landed hard and short of the runway, and the landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported that the airplane had an after-market, drop-down step kit that had been removed; however, during the kit removal, the step mechanism had been removed, but the brackets that extended into the baggage compartment had been overlooked. The brackets were attached to the canopy latching mechanism, and he believed his dog accidently hit the protruding brackets and inadvertently opened the canopy in flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the center wing spar. The pilot reported that, before the canopy opened, there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, prior to a local flight, he placed the airplane's wing and canopy covers and his small dog in the baggage compartment. During the initial climb, after retracting the landing gear, the cockpit canopy, which tips forward for entry into the cockpit, came unlatched and opened to about a 45° angle. He attempted to close and re-latch the canopy to no avail and decided to return to the departure airport. Subsequently, after extending the landing gear on final, the airplane lost speed and the descent rate increased. He applied full power, but the airplane landed hard and short of the runway, and the landing gear collapsed. The pilot reported that the airplane had an after market drop down step kit that had been uninstalled; however, during the kit removal, the step mechanism had been removed but the brackets that extended into the baggage compartment had been overlooked. The brackets were attached to the canopy latching mechanism, and he believed his dog accidently hit the protruding brackets and inadvertently opened the canopy in flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the center wing spar. The pilot reported that prior to the canopy opening, there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N145JG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N145JG), registered now, S/N L2K-230, built 2005 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GELDERMANN BERT E LANCAIR LEGACY (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Geldermann Bert E LANCAIR LEGACY](https://openairdocs.org/model/geldermann-bert-e-lancair-legacy) (registry code 05618PC) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: L2K-230 - Year built: 2005 - Airframe hours: 426 - Engines: CONT MOTOR IO-550 SERIES 310 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 2017 - Departed: FHR, Friday Harbor, WA - Destination: FHR, Friday Harbor, WA - Airport: FHR, Friday Harbor, runway 34, 3,402 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Auto-pilot, Electronic multifunction display, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 66; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 23, 2016; seat: left; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,300 total, 200 in this make and model, 1,250 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.13 inHg - Observed at: KFHR ## 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 20180114000839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180114000839A), Jan 14, 2018: Geldermann Bert E LANCAIR LEGACY, Friday Harbor, WA, Substantial damage. During taxi, aircraft conopy became fogged up, pilot released the canopy to reduce fog, once gone, pilot relatched canopy. A/c took off, shortly after take… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96608. 104 KB in all. - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 1, .PDF, 1 photo, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461120&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.