# NTSB GAA19CA037: Zenith CH601, N105JT, Junction City, KS, October 22, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 22, 2018, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Junction City, KS - Coordinates: 39.043334, -96.84333 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0433&lon=-96.8433&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98556 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA037 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98556/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98556 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA037 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to secure the canopy latch before takeoff, which resulted in the canopy opening in flight and the subsequent loss of airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylor James K ZENITH 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=056197Y), [All aircraft, 440 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md) - [Equipment/furnishings: flight compartment equipment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022510): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylor James K ZENITH 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022510/cases.md?model=056197Y), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022510/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Taylor James K ZENITH 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=056197Y), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/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); cases with it: [Taylor James K ZENITH 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=056197Y), [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: [Taylor James K ZENITH 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=056197Y), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Taylor James K ZENITH 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=056197Y), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Taylor James K ZENITH 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=056197Y), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Taylor James K ZENITH 601 XL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=056197Y), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot in the experimental, amateur-built airplane reported that, about 5 minutes after takeoff, he felt air coming into the cockpit from the canopy. He noticed that the canopy latch was not adequately secured and attempted to secure it, but the canopy opened. The airplane became very difficult to control with the canopy open, so he made an emergency landing in a cornfield. During landing, the nosewheel collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the experimental amateur-built airplane reported that about 5 minutes after takeoff, he felt air coming into the cockpit from the canopy. He noticed that the canopy latch was not adequately secured and attempted to secure it, but the canopy opened. The airplane became very difficult to control with the canopy open and he made an emergency landing in a cornfield. During landing, the nose wheel collapsed, and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N105JT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N105JT-2019-06-21), registration cancelled 2019-06-21, S/N 6-5291, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Zenith CH601 (XL) - Registry model: [Taylor James K ZENITH 601 XL](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylor-james-k-zenith-601-xl) (registry code 056197Y) (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: 6-5291 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 124.2 - Engines: Jabiru 3300A 120 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2017 - Departed: 3JC, Junction City, KS - Destination: 3JC, Junction City, KS - Airport: 3JC, Freeman Field - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 26, 2018; seat: left; flight hours: 223 total, 15 in this make and model, 160 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KFRI, 4 nm away ## 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 20181022020549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181022020549A), Oct 22, 2018: Taylor James K ZENITH 601 XL, Junction City, KS, Substantial damage. After takeoff from 3JC, pilot realized the canopy was not secured. Pilot attempted to secure canopy while maintaining control of aircraft. Pilot mismanaged… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98556. 3.9 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 381 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40473739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photos-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.