# NTSB GAA18CA215: Page Russell L Long EZ, N27RP, Wakefield, VA, April 13, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 13, 2018, 13:55 local (17:55 UTC) - Place: Wakefield, VA - Coordinates: 36.98722, -77.001113 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9872&lon=-77.0011&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 24, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 97054 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA215 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/97054/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97054 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA215 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to secure the canopy before flight, which resulted in the airplane striking a fence during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the Before Takeoff checklist and In-flight Canopy Opening checklist emergency procedure. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: lack of action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Page Russell L LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md?model=056097M), [All aircraft, 792 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Page Russell L LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=056097M), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Page Russell L LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=056097M), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035200): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Page Russell L LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035200/cases.md?model=056097M), [All aircraft, 9 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035200/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of checklist](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Page Russell L LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=056097M), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/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: [Page Russell L LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056097M), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Page Russell L LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056097M), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of visual reference](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402) (defining event); cases with it: [Page Russell L LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md?model=056097M), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/402/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Page Russell L LONG-EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=056097M), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the experimental, amateur-built airplane, during takeoff climb about 200 ft above ground level (agl), the airplane's canopy fully opened. The pilot immediately turned downwind and eventually turned final about 200 ft agl. He reported that his vision was impaired by the wind and that he misjudged the airplane's position to the runway. The airplane struck a 10-ft-tall fence that was about 70 ft from the approach end of the runway. The pilot was able to land on the runway, and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing. The first item in the Before Takeoff checklist stated: Emergency Canopy access door – closed/locked. The last item in the Before Takeoff checklist stated: Canopy – Locked – visually confirm proper latch and safety engagement According to the In-flight Canopy Opening checklist emergency procedure, Should the canopy come fully open 90° in flight immediately grab the canopy/rail handle and pull the canopy down. Be sure to maintain aircraft control. The aircraft is controllable and can be landed safely with the canopy being held down against the fingers. Remember to maintain aircraft control. Do not be so concerned with closing the canopy that you allow the aircraft to fly unnecessarily into the ground. The pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented by not deviating from the Before Takeoff checklist. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the experimental amateur-build airplane, during takeoff climb about 200ft AGL, the airplane's canopy fully opened. The pilot immediately turned downwind and eventually turned final about 200ft AGL. He reported that his vision was impaired by the wind and he misjudged the airplanes position to the runway. The airplane struck a 10ft high fence that was about 70ft from the approach end of the runway. The pilot was able to land on the runway and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right-wing. According to the pilot's Before Takeoff checklist, the first item states: Emergency Canopy access door – closed/locked According to the pilot's Before Takeoff checklist, the last item states: Canopy – Locked -visually confirm proper latch and safety engagement According to the emergency procedure for Inflight Canopy Opening, the pilot's checklist states: Should the canopy come fully open 90° in flight immediately grab the canopy/rail handle and pull the canopy down. Be sure to maintain aircraft control. The aircraft is controllable and can be landed safely with the canopy being held down against the fingers. Remember to maintain aircraft control. Do not be so concerned with closing the canopy that you allow the aircraft to fly unnecessarily into the ground. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot noted that the accident could have prevented by not deviating from the Before Takeoff checklist. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27RP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N27RP-2021-10-30), registration cancelled 2021-10-30, S/N 1400 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PAGE RUSSELL L LONG EZ (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Page Russell L LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/page-russell-l-long-ez) (registry code 056097M) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1400 - Year built: 1987 - Airframe hours: 929.3 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2A 118 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, March 10, 2018 - Departed: AKQ, Wakefield, VA - Destination: AKQ, Wakefield, VA - Airport: AKQ, Wakefield Muni, runway 20, 4,337 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 92; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 10, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,292 total, 329 in this make and model, 2,292 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KAKQ ## 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 20180413003649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180413003649A), Apr 13, 2018: Page Russell L LONG-EZ, Wakefield, VA, Substantial damage. The pilot stated upon departing runway 20 at Wakefield Municipal Airport (akq)and while in the climb, the aircraft's canopy opened. This occurred at… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 28, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=97054. 4.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466141&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Checklist (item 2, .PDF, 226 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466142&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Checklist-Master.PDF - Photo (item 3, .PDF, 1 photo, 122 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40466143&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.