# NTSB LAX96LA261: Rominger Eyas, N8012U, Santa Rosa, CA, June 30, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 30, 1996, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Santa Rosa, CA - Coordinates: 38.499332, -122.759262 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4993&lon=-122.7593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 3, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29497 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29497/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA261 ## Probable cause an inadequate design change by the pilot/builder of the airplane's canopy; a malfunction of the canopy, which resulted in its separation; and failure of the pilot to flare the airplane during an emergency landing after takeoff, due to the wind blast that impaired his vision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb - window,canopy - malfunction (cause) - maintenance,design change - inadequate, owner/builder (cause) - supervision - inadequate, designated examiner - window,canopy - separation - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff - flare - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural detection, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis During takeoff, the airplane's canopy came open about 20 feet above the ground and separated. The pilot's vision was impaired by air blasting in his face. He then 'closed' the throttle, and the airplane descended to a hard landing on the runway and was damaged. Investigation revealed that FAA personnel inspected the airplane before the accident in conjunction with an application for an experimental airworthiness certificate; the pilot/builder was denied an airworthiness certificate. After addressing some of the discrepancies and making some changes, the pilot/builder submitted an application for an experimental airworthiness certificate to an FAA designated airworthiness representative (DAR). The FAA DAR issued the certificate. After the accident, FAA airworthiness inspectors, who were familiar with the airplane, examined it. They noted the airplane had been modified in a manner defined as major changes in design. One of the modifications concerned the airplane's canopy. After the postaccident examination, the FAA determined 'the aircraft was not in a safe condition for operation at the time of the accident.' ## Factual narrative On June 30, 1996, at 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, an experimental Rominger EYAS, N8012U, collided with the surface of runway 19 at the Sonoma County Airport, Santa Rosa, California, during a test flight. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The certificated private pilot/builder was not injured. The airplane was being operated by the pilot/owner as a local test flight when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported that the airplane's canopy came open about 20 feet above the ground and separated during takeoff. The pilot reported his vision was impaired by air blasting his face. The plane then descended to a hard landing on the runway. The pilot/builder applied to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a special airworthiness inspection, and the FAA inspected the aircraft on two occasions in February 1996. The FAA denied the pilot the airworthiness certificate, at which time the pilot asked to have his application removed. On June 24, 1996, the pilot submitted an application for an experimental airworthiness certificate to an FAA designated airworthiness representative (DAR). The FAA DAR issued the certificate. After the accident, the FAA airworthiness inspectors familiar with the airplane examined it. The FAA inspectors noted the airplane had been modified in a manner defined as major changes in design. One of the modifications concerned the airplane's canopy. After the postaccident examination, the FAA determined "the aircraft was not in a safe condition for operation at the time of the accident." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N8012U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8012U-1997-12-04), registration cancelled 1997-12-04, S/N 757 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Rominger EYAS - Registry model: [Rominger David E EYAS](https://openairdocs.org/model/rominger-david-e-eyas) (registry code 05628DK) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Airframe hours: 7 - Engines: Volkswagen 2.6L 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: David E. Rominger - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 24, 1996, 7 hours before - Departed: STS - Airport: STS, Sonoma County, runway 19, 5,002 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 171 total, 7 in this make and model, 93 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: STS ## 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 19960630019999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960630019999A), Jun 30, 1996: Amtr EYAS, Santa Rosa, CA, Substantial damage. (.4)During takeoff, the airplane's canopy came open about 20 feet above the ground and separated. The pilot's vision was impaired by air blasting in his face.… 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.