# NTSB LAX89DVG01: Glasair FT, N197RL, Redding, CA, October 6, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1988, 14:10 local (21:10 UTC)
- Place: Redding, CA
- Coordinates: 40.600116, -122.45906 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6001&lon=-122.4591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 2 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 24, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26163
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX89DVG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26163/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX89DVG01

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - window,canopy - unlatched (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft handling - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ON TAKEOFF, PLT'S CANOPY CAME OPEN. WHEN PLT DIVERTED ATTENTION TO CLOSE CANOPY, ACFT COLLIDED WITH A TREE, THEN TERRAIN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO CANOPY LATCH MALFUNCTION. POST ACC EXAM SHOWED THAT THE PLTS CANOPY LATCHES WERE UNDAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N197RL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N197RL-1991-08-30), registration cancelled 1991-08-30, S/N 197 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASAIR FT
- Registry model: [Le Blanc Ronald L GLASAIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/le-blanc-ronald-l-glasair) (registry code 05655EY) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 197
- Airframe hours: 320
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald L. Leblanc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1988, 10 hours before
- Departed: Q93, REDDING, CA
- Destination: SFF, SPOKANE, WA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 384 total, 308 in this make and model, 335 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDD, 5 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 19881006044709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881006044709A), Oct 6, 1988: Amtr GLASAIR, Redding, CA, Destroyed. Canopy came open on takeoff. Pilots glasses blew off and he lost control trying to close canopy and crashed.

## Other investigations on N197RL (1)

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.

- [NTSB SEA84LA232](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA84LA232), Sep 26, 1984: Glasair None (N197RL), Burns, OR, substantial damage

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.

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