# NTSB WPR12CA014: Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro Sportcruiser, N999VS, Las Vegas, NV, October 16, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 16, 2011, 12:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Las Vegas, NV - Coordinates: 35.972778, -115.134445 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.9728&lon=-115.1344&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 27, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 82116 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA014 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/82116/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82116 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA014 ## Probable cause The inadvertent opening of the airplane’s canopy during takeoff, which distracted the pilot and resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to comply with the manufacturer's recommended procedures for the canopy opening during takeoff. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Windows-windshield system: flight compartment windows](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610): Aircraft › Aircraft structures · Malfunction (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 42 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035610/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of manual](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063020): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063020/cases.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 15 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Cabin safety event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 151 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/110/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=060002O), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, during the crosswind turn, the canopy opened. He continued to fly the airplane while trying to hold the canopy down with his left hand. The airplane porpoised, lost altitude, and the pilot was unable to achieve a stable attitude. He stayed in the traffic pattern, and, on final approach, he pulled the power off and stalled the airplane 4 to 5 feet above the runway, which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage. The Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) stated that, if the canopy should open during takeoff, the pilot should not try to close the canopy and should continue the takeoff, climb to a safe altitude, and attain an airspeed of 65 knots. The POH then states that the pilot should continue to fly the traffic pattern, land, and, after stopping, close and lock the canopy. The pilot said the accident could have been prevented if he had kept the power on until touchdown. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff during the cross wind turn the canopy popped open. The pilot continued to fly the airplane while trying to hold the canopy down with his left hand. The airplane began to porpoise and lose altitude. The pilot was unable to achieve a slow cruise stable attitude. He continued to fly the airplane for an emergency landing to the duty runway, he pulled the power off and stalled the airplane 4-5 feet above the runway, which resulted in a hard landing. The Sport Cruiser Pilot Operating Handbook, Supplement No. 03 states the following in section 6.7.3. "Recommendation for canopy opening during the aircraft takeoff: 1. Do not try to close the canopy! 2. Continue the takeoff. 3. Clime to a safe altitude, and reach 120 km/h (65 kts) 4. Continue to circuit 5. Land, after stopping, close and lock the canopy." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N999VS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N999VS), registered now, S/N 08SC242 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CZECH AIRCRAFT WORKS SPOL SRO SPORTCRUISER - Registry model: [Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER](https://openairdocs.org/model/czech-aircraft-works-spol-sro-sportcruiser) (registry code 060002O) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Rotax 912ULS series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/rotax-912uls-series) (registry code 55572, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 08SC242 - Airframe hours: 64 - Engines: ROTAX 912ULS 100 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: O'Hearn Larry N - Registered owner: O'Hearn Larry N - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special light-sport (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 9, 2011 - Departed: KHND, Las Vegas, NV - Destination: KHND, Las Vegas, NV - Airport: KHND, Henderson Executive Airport, runway 35L, 6,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: sport pilot, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 12, 2011; seat: left; flight hours: 3,856 total, 110 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: KHND ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 21, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=82116. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 423 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40358415&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - On-scene photo (item 2, .PDF, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40357227&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20On-scene%20photo-Master.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.