# NTSB WPR10CA437: Holt Herbert L Long EZ, N31939, Afton, WY, August 29, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 29, 2010, 09:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Afton, WY - Coordinates: 43.708889, -110.942222 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7089&lon=-110.9422&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 77118 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA437 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77118/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77118 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA437 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to securely lock the canopy prior to takeoff, which allowed the contents of the cabin to exit the airplane and damage the propeller. Contributing to the severity of the damage was the subsequent fire that ensued. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Holt Herbert L LONG EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=05624TH), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md) - [Inspection: preflight inspection](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Holt Herbert L LONG EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md?model=05624TH), [All aircraft, 551 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061510/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Miscellaneous/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900); cases with it: [Holt Herbert L LONG EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md?model=05624TH), [All aircraft, 1,556 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/900/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Part(s) separation from AC](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338) (defining event); cases with it: [Holt Herbert L LONG EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md?model=05624TH), [All aircraft, 563 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/338/sequence.md) - [Takeoff-rejected takeoff: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150); cases with it: [Holt Herbert L LONG EZ, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=05624TH), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he performed a normal preflight inspection of his airplane, loaded baggage into the back seat, placed a canvas canopy cover on top of the baggage, and proceeded to take off. The pilot had not securely locked the canopy into the closed position. After accelerating to about 70 mph, the canopy partially opened, and the canvas cover exited the airplane. It impacted the pusher propeller and a blade shattered. The pilot aborted the takeoff but, due to vibrations, the nose wheel broke off before he was able to stop. During the sequence the airplane was substantially damaged by the fire. The pilot opined that a fuel line may have broken due to the severe engine vibration or an impact from the nose wheel. ## Factual narrative The pilot indicated that he performed a normal preflight inspection of his airplane, loaded baggage into the back seat, placed a canvas canopy cover on top of the baggage, and proceeded to takeoff. The pilot had not securely locked the canopy into the closed position. After accelerating to about 70 mph, the canopy partially opened, and the canvas cover exited the airplane. It impacted the pusher propeller and a blade shattered. The pilot aborted the takeoff, but due to vibrations the nose wheel broke off before he was able to stop. During the sequence, the airplane was substantially damaged by the fire. The pilot opined that a fuel line broke due to the severe engine vibration or an impact from the nose wheel. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31939](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31939-2010-11-03), registration cancelled 2010-11-03, S/N 001, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HOLT HERBERT L LONG EZ - Registry model: [Holt Herbert L LONG EZ](https://openairdocs.org/model/holt-herbert-l-long-ez) (registry code 05624TH) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 475 - Engines: LYCOMING O-235 SERIES 115 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Holt Herbert L - Registered owner: Holt Herbert L - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 1, 2010, 20 hours before - Departed: AFO, Afton, WY - Destination: RIF, Richfield, UT - Airport: AFO, Afton, runway 34, 7,025 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 17, 2009; seat: center; flight hours: 644 total, 475 in this make and model, 563 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F ## 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 20100829041949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100829041949A), Aug 29, 2010: Holt Herber LONG EZ, Afton, WY, Destroyed. Just as the aircaft was rotating for take off the canopy popped open. A canvas canopy cover was sucked out of the cockpit and struck the propeller damaging… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 1, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77118. 565 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 565 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336713&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.