# NTSB MIA93LA128: John Shufflebarger Zenair Zodiak, N693JS, Lakeland, FL, May 22, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 22, 1993, 10:12 local (14:12 UTC)
- Place: Lakeland, FL
- Coordinates: 27.970705, -81.940704 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9707&lon=-81.9407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33273
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA93LA128
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33273/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA93LA128

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AFTER SEPARATION OF THE CANOPY, RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT ENTERING A STALL/MUSH CONDITION AND DESCENDING UNCONTROLLED TO THE GROUND. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO FULLY LOCK THE CANOPY BEFORE FLIGHT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - window,canopy - not secured (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - window,canopy - separation (contributing factor)
  - airspeed(vs) - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - roadway/highway

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE AT 150 FEET ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH THE CANOPY CAME OPEN ON THE LEFT SIDE AND OPENED TO THE RIGHT. THE CANOPY THEN SEPARATED. THE AIRSPEED INADVERTENTLY GOT LOW AND THE AIRCRAFT DESCENDED. THE AIRCRAFT THEN TOUCHED DOWN HARD AT A POINT 1000 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE AIRCRAFT KIT STATED HE HAD FLOWN THE AIRCRAFT ON THE PREVIOUS FLIGHT AND HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CANOPY. HE STATED THE CANOPY DESIGN HAS HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS OR CASES OF IT COMING OPEN IN FLIGHT. HE STATED THE PILOT MUST NOT HAVE HAD THE CANOPY FULLY LOCKED FOR THE FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N693JS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N693JS-2013-07-19), registration cancelled 2013-07-19, S/N 3006, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JOHN SHUFFLEBARGER ZENAIR ZODIAK (ZENAIR ZOD)
- Registry model: [Shufflebarger John B CH601HDS](https://openairdocs.org/model/shufflebarger-john-b-ch601hds) (registry code 056222E) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Bombardier ROTAX (ALL)](https://openairdocs.org/engine/bombardier-rotax-all) (registry code 09050, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3006
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: ROTAX 912 80 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Shufflebarger, John B.
- Registered owner: Shufflebarger, John B.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1993, 1 hours before
- Departed: LAL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 41; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 180 total, 1 in this make and model, 118 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL, 1 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 19930522014679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930522014679A), May 22, 1993: Amtr CH601HDS, Lakeland, FL, Substantial damage. Canopy came open on short final and separated. Airspeed came low. Impacted short of runway. First flight in type.

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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