# NTSB GAA20CA092: Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportscruiser, N595SC, Lamar, CO, November 23, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 23, 2019, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Lamar, CO - Coordinates: 38.069721, -102.688613 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.0697&lon=-102.6886&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 16, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100622 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA20CA092 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100622/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100622 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA20CA092 ## Probable cause The pilot's distraction due to an open canopy during final approach, which resulted in a loss of altitude and ground impact short of the runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: attention](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 226 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021510/cases.md) - [Windows-windshield system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Not specified (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035600/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Approach-VFR pattern final: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the approach, the canopy opened, and he was distracted "because it was like a tornado in the plane." He attempted to hold the canopy closed, and in the confusion, the airplane impacted the ground short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. According to Federal Aviation Administration inspectors who examined the airplane after the accident, no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies were found with the canopy handle, latch, or catch. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that, during approach the canopy opened, and he was distracted "because it was like a tornado in the plane." He attempted to hold the canopy closed and in the confusion the airplane impacted the ground short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. According to FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors that examined the airplane after the accident, no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies were found with the canopy handle, latch, or the catch. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N595SC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N595SC-2021-04-10), registration cancelled 2021-04-10, S/N 06SC002, built 2006 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportscruiser - Registry model: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER](https://openairdocs.org/model/czech-aircraft-works-spol-sro-sportcruiser) (registry code 060002O) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 06SC002 - Year built: 2006 - Airframe hours: 920 - Engines: Rotax 912S 97 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 19, 2019 - Departed: ALS, Alamosa, CO - Destination: LAA, Lamar, CO - Airport: LAA, Lamar Muni, runway 26, 5,001 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Airframe parachute, Electronic primary flight display ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 19, 2019; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 542 total, 29 in this make and model, 460 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 17 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk - Wind: 260° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Observed at: KLAA ## 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 20191123019289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20191123019289A), Nov 23, 2019: Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, Lamar, CO, Substantial damage. On November 23, 2019 at approximately 1630 MST, N595SC, a Czech aircraft works model Sportcruiser was substantially damaged during an attempt to land at Lamar… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 30, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100622. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480374&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photos (item 2, .PDF, 451 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480375&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.