# NTSB GAA19CA266: Ryan John Steffey Subsonex, N224P, Latrobe, PA, May 14, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 14, 2019, 23:48 UTC - Place: Latrobe, PA - Coordinates: 40.273056, -79.410278 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2731&lon=-79.4103&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 August 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99430 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99430/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99430 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA266 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control while attempting to secure the canopy, which opened shortly after takeoff and resulted in the airplane impacting the ground and the main landing gear collapsing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to complete the predeparture checklist, which led to his failure to properly secure the canopy before takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05638AQ), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=05638AQ), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Doors: passenger/crew doors](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?model=05638AQ), [All aircraft, 86 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05638AQ), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md?model=05638AQ), [All aircraft, 336 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063030/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot; cases with it: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=05638AQ), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/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: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05638AQ), [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: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=05638AQ), [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: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=05638AQ), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=05638AQ), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230); cases with it: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05638AQ), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=05638AQ), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, before takeoff, he was adjusting the radios and forgot to latch the canopy. After takeoff, the canopy "shimmied open about 2 ft aft." The pilot reported that he immediately reached for the canopy with his left hand while his right hand was on the control stick. The airplane was a few feet above the runway surface when he applied slight forward pressure on the control stick, but the airplane's nose pitched down, and the nose landing gear impacted the ground. The airplane veered right, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane then slid to a stop on the runway. The pilot reported that he did not complete the predeparture checklist to secure the canopy because he was adjusting the recently installed radio and headset. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that before takeoff, he was adjusting radios and forgot to latch the canopy. After liftoff, the canopy shimmied aft about 2 ft. The pilot reported that with his right hand on the control stick, he reached with his left hand to close the canopy. The airplane was a few feet above the runway surface when the nose pitched down, and the nose gear impacted the ground. The airplane veered right and slid to a stop on the runway. The pilot reported that he did not complete his pre-departure checklist to secure the canopy because he was adjusting the recently installed radio and headset. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N224P](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N224P), registered now, S/N JSX0022, built 2019 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: RYAN JOHN STEFFEY SUBSONEX (JSX-2) - Registry model: [Ryan John Steffey JSX-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-john-steffey-jsx-2) (registry code 05638AQ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [PBS TJ100](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pbs-tj100) (registry code 49601, turbo-jet) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JSX0022 - Year built: 2019 - Engines: PBS TJ100 turbo jet - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LBE, Latrobe, PA - Destination: LBE, Latrobe, PA - Airport: LBE, Arnold Palmer Rgnl, runway 24, 8,222 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 41 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KLBE, 1 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 20190514004609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190514004609A), May 14, 2019: Ryan John Steffey JSX-2, Latrobe, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he failed to lock canopy. During rotation, the canopy lifted, the pilot reached up to secure, and pushed the yoke forward causing the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 26, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99430. 589 KB in all. - Pilot's Statement (item 1, .PDF, 59 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484804&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 531 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40484805&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.