# NTSB LAX05LA266: Agusta SF 260D, N402FD, Redding, CA, August 11, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 11, 2005, 12:59 local (19:59 UTC) - Place: Redding, CA - Coordinates: 40.349998, -122.283332 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3500&lon=-122.2833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 29, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 62242 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA266 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62242/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA266 ## Probable cause the company maintenance personnel's failure to follow a prescribed canopy installation procedures. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, descent - window,canopy - not safetied (cause) - maintenance,installation - improper, company maintenance personnel (cause) - window,canopy - separation (cause) ## Analysis The airplane's canopy separated from the cockpit during the landing descent, and substantially damaged the empennage. The pilot indicated that he had not experienced any malfunction with the canopy's operation when he initiated the flight, and that the latch was in the closed position when the separation occurred. A subsequent search for the separated canopy was unsuccessful. An examination of the airplane revealed that the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer was crushed inward over approximately a 1-foot-long span. Also, the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer was similarly crushed in an aft direction. This was the first flight following the company's removal and reinstallation of a serviceable canopy. The company mechanics suggested that they may not have verified that the canopy's locking pins were positively engaged in the support lugs on the airframe during reinstallation of the canopy. ## Factual narrative On August 11, 2005, about 1259 Pacific daylight time, an Agusta SPA, SF.260D, N402FD, experienced the separation of its canopy during descent for landing at the Redding Municipal Airport, Redding, California. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot was not injured. The airplane was owned and operated by Air Combat USA, Inc., Fullerton, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the work-related flight, and no flight plan had been filed. The flight was performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and it originated from Fullerton about 1000. The pilot reported to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator that between 8 and 10 miles from Redding the entire canopy separated from the airplane. Also, the helmet he was wearing came off his head, and baggage exited the airplane. The pilot was unable to contact the Redding control tower, so he changed to the emergency transponder code. Thereafter, he received a green light signal from the control tower, and he landed without further mishap. The pilot indicated that he had not experienced any malfunction with the canopy's operation when he initiated the flight. He stated that when the canopy separated its latch was in the closed position. Company personnel reported to the Safety Board investigator that their search for the separated canopy was unsuccessful. An examination of the airplane revealed that the leading edge of the left horizontal stabilizer was crushed inward over approximately a 1-foot-long span. Also, the leading edge of the vertical stabilizer was similarly crushed in an aft direction. According to company personnel, this was the first flight following the company's removal and reinstallation of a serviceable canopy. A company mechanic opined that this procedure to reinstall a canopy involved checking that the canopy's locking pins were positively engaged in the support lugs on the airframe. The mechanic indicated to the Safety Board investigator that this verification procedure had evidently not been complied with by the mechanics who had installed the canopy. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N402FD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N402FD-2008-09-12), registration cancelled 2008-09-12, S/N 767, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Agusta SPA SF 260D - Registry model: [Agusta F.260D](https://openairdocs.org/model/agusta-f-260d) (registry code 0260402) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 767 - Airframe hours: 6872.7 - Engines: Lycoming O-540-E4AS 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Other work use, Part 91 - Registered owner: Air Combat USA, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 1, 2005, 25.8 hours before - Departed: FUL, Fullerton, CA - Destination: RDD, Redding, CA - Airport: RDD, Redding ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 1, 2004; seat: right; flight hours: 1,300 total, 800 in this make and model, 800 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 330° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 100 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 29.88 inHg - Observed at: RDD, 10 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 20050811031499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050811031499A), Aug 11, 2005: Agusta F260D, Redding, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The aircraft canopy departed from the aircraft approximately 8 miles east of Redding, CA. The pilot's helmet and gear departed with the canopy. The pilot… 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.