# NTSB NYC97LA020: Zukowski EAA Biplane, N818Z, Williamsport, PA, November 23, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 23, 1996, 10:10 local (15:10 UTC) - Place: Williamsport, PA - Coordinates: 41.229469, -77.029525 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2295&lon=-77.0295&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 30, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 39303 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC97LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39303/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA020 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight preparation, which resulted in opening of the unsecured canopy during the takeoff roll, and subsequent loss of directional control and a nose over. A factor was: the pilot's failure to use a checklist. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - roll/run - window,canopy - not secured (cause) - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - checklist - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, takeoff - aborted ## Analysis The pilot/owner of the aircraft completed the preflight and started the engine by hand propping. When he climbed into the cockpit, he closed the canopy to reduce the wind, but did not lock the canopy. After taxi and run-up, he still failed to lock the canopy, and began the takeoff roll. At rotation speed, the canopy slid back, caught his headphones, and held his head back. The pilot lost directional control, went off the runway, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented by use of a checklist. ## Factual narrative On November 23, 1996, at 1010 eastern standard time, a homebuilt EAA Biplane, N818Z, was substantially damaged during an aborted takeoff at the Williamsport-Lycoming County Airport (IPT), Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight that originated at IPT. No flight plan had been filed for the flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot/owner stated that after he completed the preflight, he started the engine by hand propping, and then climbed into the cockpit. He further stated, "It was cold and I closed the canopy to keep the wind off me, but did not lock it! Taxied to [runway] 12, received takeoff clearance after run-up, and still neglected to lock canopy. About rotation speed, the canopy slid back, caught my headphones, and held my head back. Lost directional control, went off the runway and flipped tail over, upside down..." According to a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector, examination of the airplane revealed that the canopy locking mechanism functioned properly. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N818Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N818Z-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 1-CJZ, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: ZUKOWSKI EAA BIPLANE (EAA BIPLAN) - Registry model: [Eaa-Bi-Plane A](https://openairdocs.org/model/eaa-bi-plane-a) (registry code 33601KJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1-CJZ - Airframe hours: 170 - Engines: Lycoming O-290-G 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Francis L. Klementovich - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, January 15, 1995 - Departed: IPT - Airport: IPT, Williamsport-Lycoming Co, runway 12, 4,280 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 300 total, 50 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 32 °F, dew point 3 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: IPT ## 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 19961123036339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961123036339A), Nov 23, 1996: Post A, Williamsport, PA, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot/owner of the aircraft completed the preflight and started the engine by hand propping. When he climbed into the cockpit, he closed the canopy to… 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.