# NTSB MIA97LA240: Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-A1, N560SS, Concord, NC, September 7, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 7, 1997, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Concord, NC - Coordinates: 35.410678, -80.680938 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.4107&lon=-80.6809&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 11, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 38332 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA240 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38332/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA240 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to latch the canopy closed prior to takeoff. This resulted in the canopying opening while on approach to land and the pilot was unable to maintain altitude due to the excessive drag. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - window,canopy - unlatched (cause) - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - window,canopy - open - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot forgot to latch the canopy closed prior to takeoff. After takeoff he entered the pattern to return for a landing. While on final approach the canopy opened and stayed on the aircraft in the full open position. The aircraft would not maintain altitude with full engine power and settled into trees and crashed. After the accident the canopy unlocked light was still illuminated and the canopy latches were found in the open position. ## Factual narrative On September 7, 1997, about 1500 eastern daylight time, a Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-A1, N560SS, registered to MDFC Equipment Leasing Corp., crashed during approach to land at Concord Regional Airport, Concord, North Carolina, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 instructional flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the student-rated pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Concord, North Carolina, the same day about 1455. The student pilot stated that he had the canopy open as he taxied to the runway for takeoff. Before takeoff he pulled the canopy down but forgot to latch it. After takeoff he entered the traffic pattern to return for landing. While on final approach to land, the canopy opened abruptly and remained on the aircraft in the opened position. He applied full engine power and retracted the wing flaps as the aircraft settled into trees. The aircraft entered the trees in a near wings level attitude, rotated to the left, and went inverted coming to rest approximately 25 degrees nose down. The aircraft operator reported that when he arrived on scene the aircraft's electrical power was still on. The canopy open warning light was illuminated. Examination of the canopy latches showed they were unlocked. The latches had no damage or evidence of malfunction. The latches operated normally after the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N560SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N560SS-2013-08-23), registration cancelled 2013-08-23, S/N 10131, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Diamond Aircraft Industries DA 20-A1 - 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: 10131 - Airframe hours: 405 - Engines: Rotax 912F 81 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Lancaster Aviation, Inc. - Registered owner: Mdfc Equipment Leasing Corp. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 24, 1997, 31 hours before - Departed: JQF ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; student; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 199 total, 13 in this make and model, 40 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 6 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: CLT, 18 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 19970907025619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970907025619A), Sep 7, 1997: Diamon DA20A1, Concord, NC, Substantial damage. Canopy came off on final. Added power but settled into trees. Crashed inverted. Should be capable make runway. (.4)the pilot forgot to latch the canopy closed… 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.