# NTSB LAX99LA264: Diamond Aircraft Industries Katana DA 20-A1, N854DF, San Carlos, CA, August 18, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 18, 1999, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: San Carlos, CA - Coordinates: 37.490306, -122.260498 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4903&lon=-122.2605&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47104 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA264 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47104/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA264 ## Probable cause The release of the aircraft's left canopy latch following takeoff resulting in the subsequent opening of the canopy in flight. The opened canopy resulted in a degradation of aircraft control and the subsequent hard landing. ## 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 (cause) - window,canopy - open - Hard landing, emergency landing after takeoff - aircraft control - diminished (cause) ## Analysis On takeoff the pilot reported that the left canopy latch popped open. He verified that the right canopy latch was secure and radioed that he was returning to land. After turning an early crosswind and leveling his wings, the canopy came open in flight. The pilot made a mayday call, held the control stick full forward, and made a landing on a dirt road off the departure end of the runway. According to the aircraft manufacturer, if the aft hinged canopy opens in flight, a significant increase in drag occurs and controllability becomes marginal. An FAA inspector examined the aircraft's canopy after the accident. He could not identify any malfunctions with either of the canopy latches. He then functionally checked both of the corresponding latch closed micro switches and the enunciator light circuits, and found that they were working properly. ## Factual narrative On August 18, 1999, at 1420 hours Pacific daylight time, a Diamond Katana DA 20-A1, N854DF, sustained substantial damage during an off-airport landing following takeoff from the San Carlos, California, airport. The off-airport landing was precipitated by the canopy opening during the takeoff initial climb. The certificated private pilot received minor injuries. The aircraft was operated by Diamond Aviation under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and was rented by the pilot for a local area personal flight. The flight originated from the San Carlos airport at 1419. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. On takeoff, at about 200 feet agl, the left canopy latch popped open. The pilot looked at the right canopy latch to verify that it was latched and saw that it was. He began an early crosswind turn and radioed the tower controller that he was going to return to the airport due to problems with the canopy. As he leveled the wings after the crosswind turn, the canopy opened into the airflow. He held the control stick full forward and made a "mayday" call. The pilot made a nose low, forced landing at about 60 knots on a dirt road about 0.75 miles off the departure end of runway 30. The pilot was transported to a hospital, complaining of back pain. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the aircraft's canopy after the accident. He stated that he could not identify any malfunctions with either of the canopy latches. He then functionally checked both of the corresponding micro switches, which sense latch closure by physical contact. If either switch opens, the cockpit canopy open enunciator light will illuminate. Both micro switches and the enunciator warning light were found to work properly. According to engineering personnel from Diamond Aircraft, if the aft hinged canopy opens in flight, a significant increase in drag occurs and controllability becomes marginal. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N854DF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N854DF-2004-05-07), registration cancelled 2004-05-07, S/N 10181, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Diamond Aircraft Industries KATANA DA 20-A1 (KATANA DA) - Registry model: [Diamond Aircraft Ind DA20-A1](https://openairdocs.org/model/diamond-aircraft-ind-da20-a1) (registry code 2990000) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 10181 - Airframe hours: 1119 - Engines: Rotax 912-F3 80 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Diamond Aviation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, July 12, 1999, 17 hours before - Departed: SQL - Airport: SQL, San Carlos, runway 30, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,772 total, 20 in this make and model, 1,681 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 32 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 10 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,100 ft overcast - Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SQL ## 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 19990818012699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990818012699A), Aug 18, 1999: Diamon DA20A1, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. Acft canopy opened on departure as acft turned downwind for landing, pilot declared an emergency and commenced a right downward descent with impact… 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.