Zukowski EAA BIPLANE N818Z

Summary

On 23 November 1996 at about 15:10 local time, a Zukowski EAA BIPLANE registered N818Z was involved in an accident near Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 November 1996 at 15:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Williamsport-Lycoming Co (IPT)

Coordinates

41.2295, -77.0295

Aircraft

Zukowski EAA BIPLANE

Registration

N818Z

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC97LA020

Nobody was injured.

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.