# NTSB SEA00LA088: Avions Mudry et Cie CAP 231, N231X, Ephrata, WA, May 20, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 20, 2000, 14:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Ephrata, WA - Coordinates: 47.27, -119.589996 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.2700&lon=-119.5900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 49254 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA00LA088 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49254/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA00LA088 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control subsequent to the aircraft's canopy opening in flight. Factors include the pilot's failure confirm that the aircraft's canopy was secured prior to takeoff and impaired vision. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - window,canopy - not secured (contributing factor) - Hard landing, takeoff - aborted - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - physical impairment, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after becoming airborne (30-40 feet above ground level [AGL]), the aircraft's canopy blew opened. He reported that when the canopy opened, a blast of air blew off his left contact lens obscuring his vision and depth perception. After unsuccessful attempts to latch the canopy, the pilot closed the throttle and aborted the takeoff. When the airplane touched down, on the runway, it bounced back into the air. The pilot applied full power and initiated a go-around. He reported that after initiating the go-around, he turned the airplane to the south in an attempt to land on runway 11. However, the pilot was unable to maintain altitude, as a result of damage sustained to the propeller during the bounced landing, and the airplane subsequently collided with terrain. Post-accident inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector from the Spokane, Washington, Flight Standards District Office, and the airplane owner, revealed that the canopy latch functioned properly. The pilot later stated that he could not confirm that the canopy was latched properly prior to the accident flight. ## Factual narrative On May 20, 2000, about 1415 Pacific daylight time, an Avions Mudry et Cie, Cap 231, N231X, was substantially damaged after an aborted takeoff from Ephrata Municipal Airport (EPH), Ephrata, Washington. The aircraft was being operated under Title 14 CFR 91 when the accident occurred. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. There was no fire and no report of ELT activation. The pilot reported that shortly after becoming airborne (30-40 feet above ground level [AGL]), the aircraft's canopy blew opened. He reported that when the canopy opened, a blast of air blew off his left contact lens obscuring his vision and depth perception. After unsuccessful attempts to latch the canopy, the pilot closed the throttle and aborted the takeoff. When the airplane touched down, on the runway, it bounced back into the air. The pilot applied full power and initiated a go-around. He reported that after initiating the go-around, he turned the airplane to the south in an attempt to land on runway 11. However, the pilot was unable to maintain altitude, as a result of damage sustained to the propeller during the bounced landing, and the airplane subsequently collided with terrain beyond the departure end of the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage during the accident sequence. Post-accident inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector from the Spokane, Washington, Flight Standards District Office, and the airplane owner, revealed that the canopy latch functioned properly. The pilot later stated that he could not confirm that the canopy was latched properly prior to the accident flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: N231X (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Avions Mudry et Cie CAP 231 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 12 - Airframe hours: 843 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540-L185 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Norman R. Willis - Registered owner: All Attitude Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 14, 1999, 43 hours before - Departed: EPH - Airport: EPH, Ephrata Municipal, runway 11, 3,843 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,859 total, 1,701 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 11 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 18,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: EPH, 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 20000520006439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000520006439A), May 20, 2000: Ephrata, WA, No damage. (-23) N231X departed runway 20, at eph. Canopy came open during takeoff pilot lost control of aircraft and made off airport landing. Loose screws were found in… 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.