# NTSB GAA20CA027: Zenith Zenith 601XLB, N235JH, Gastonia, NC, October 11, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 11, 2019, 12:20 local (16:20 UTC) - Place: Gastonia, NC - Coordinates: 35.201946, -81.150276 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2019&lon=-81.1503&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 May 21, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100444 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA027 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100444/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100444 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA027 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to latch the canopy before departure, which resulted in the canopy opening and the subsequent loss of airplane control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Windows-windshield system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Ham Joseph F ZENITH 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600/cases.md?model=05630JF), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600/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: [Ham Joseph F ZENITH 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=05630JF), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: forgotten action/omission](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Ham Joseph F ZENITH 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041035/cases.md?model=05630JF), [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: [Ham Joseph F ZENITH 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05630JF), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/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: [Ham Joseph F ZENITH 601XLB, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05630JF), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during takeoff, as the airplane lifted off, the canopy opened. Subsequently, the airplane descended and landed hard, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that, during a postaccident examination of the airplane about a week after the accident, the canopy latches appeared to be in good condition and operated fine. The pilot added as a safety recommendation to "double check the canopy latch." ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during takeoff, as the airplane departed the ground, the canopy opened, the airplane landed hard back on the runway, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that, during a postaccident examination, the canopy latches appeared to be in good condition. He added that the canopy latch handle was located in the middle of the cockpit and operated fine. The pilot added as a safety recommendation to double check the canopy latch. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N235JH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N235JH-2023-04-01), registration cancelled 2023-04-01, S/N 6-4287, built 2012 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZENITH ZENITH 601XLB - Registry model: [Ham Joseph F ZENITH 601XLB](https://openairdocs.org/model/ham-joseph-f-zenith-601xlb) (registry code 05630JF) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O-235-C1](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-235-c1) (registry code 42027, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6-4287 - Year built: 2012 - Airframe hours: 190 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-C1 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, September 30, 2019 - Departed: AKH, Gastonia, NC - Destination: AKH, Gastonia, NC - Flight plan: Unknown - Airport: AKH, Gastonia Muni, runway 21, 3,770 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Electronic multifunction display, Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 84; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot; last flight review August 14, 2018; seat: left; restraint: 3-point ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KAKH ## 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 20191011020649A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191011020649A), Oct 11, 2019: Ham Joseph F ZENITH 601XLB, Gastonia, NC, Substantial damage. [privacy data omitted] Reported that he was performing touch and go maneuvers. On his third touch and go the canopy came open on climb out shortly after… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 12, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100444. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 506 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478975&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector (item 2, .PDF, 68 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478976&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20FAA%20Inspector-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (item 3, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40478980&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos-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.