# NTSB MIA99LA077: Lee S. Harvard LONG-EZ, N96LH, Spring Hill, FL, February 11, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 11, 1999, 12:35 local (17:35 UTC) - Place: Spring Hill, FL - Coordinates: 28.370796, -82.509201 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.3708&lon=-82.5092&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45742 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA99LA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45742/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA99LA077 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to insure the canopy was closed prior to takeoff resulting in an aborted takeoff, overheating of the brakes, and a roll over when the aircraft was turned off the runway into the grass in an attempt to stop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - roll/run - window,canopy - not secured (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - aborted takeoff - performed, pilot in command - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - landing gear,normal brake system - overtemperature - run on landing - inadvertent, pilot in command - maneuver to avoid obstructions - performed, pilot in command - Roll over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was about 1/3 of the way down the runway on takeoff when he noticed that the canopy might not be closed. He aborted the takeoff and about 3/4 of the way down the runway, the wheel brakes became effective. He turned off the runway into the grass and the main landing gear grabbed. The aircraft turned sideways and then rolled over to an inverted position, coming to rest on a taxiway. ## Factual narrative On February 11, 1999, about 1235 eastern daylight time, a Lee S. Harvard Long-EZ, N96LH, nosed over during an aborted takeoff following the canopy coming open, at Pilot Country Airport, Spring Hill, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot received serious injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot stated he taxied to runway 36 and while holding short of the runway he adjusted his headphones, seat belts, and instruments, and performed the before takeoff checklist. He then transmitted on the unicom frequency that he was departing on runway 36. After taxiing onto the runway he performed a magneto check and then applied full power. About 1/3 of the way down the runway he noticed that the canopy might not be closed. He aborted the takeoff and about 3/4 of the way down the runway the wheel brakes became ineffective. He turned off the runway into the grass in an attempt to slow the aircraft. The main landing gear appeared to "grab the ground" and the aircraft turned and then rolled to an inverted position and came to rest on the taxiway. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96LH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96LH-2000-04-18), registration cancelled 2000-04-18, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Lee S. Harvard LONG-EZ - Registry model: [Harvard Lee S LONG-EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/harvard-lee-s-long-ez) (registry code 0560257) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 205 - Engines: Lycoming O-235-L2C 118 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Lee S. Harvard - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 6, 1998, 125 hours before - Departed: X05 - Destination: PIE, ST. PETERSBURG, FL - Airport: X05, Pilot Country, runway 36, 3,700 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 406 total, 205 in this make and model, 297 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TPA, 21 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 19990211001299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990211001299A), Feb 11, 1999: Amtr LONGEZ, Brooksville, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot aborted take-off due to the canopy latch not functioning, and the acft crashed. Other circumstances are unknown. (.19)on February 11, 1999, about 1235… 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.