Hall Steven C LANCAIR LE N939CB

Summary

On 31 January 2009 at about 00:50 local time, a Hall Steven C LANCAIR LE registered N939CB, operated by Fahren Corporation, was involved in an accident near Longmont, Colorado, 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

31 January 2009 at 00:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Longmont, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Vance Brand Airport (KLMO)

Coordinates

40.1586, -105.1581

Aircraft

Hall Steven C LANCAIR LE

Registration

N939CB

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Fahren Corporation

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Longmont → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

CEN09LA207

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft pitch control resulting in the airplane impacting the terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to ensure the canopy was fully locked prior to takeoff and the canopy oscillations in flight.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot took off with the canopy not fully locked. During the takeoff, the canopy opened. Not certain that he could stop on the remaining runway, the pilot continued the takeoff and climbed to a safe altitude. While attempting to return to the airport and simultaneously fighting the canopy oscillation, the pilot lost control of the airplane on approach and impacted the terrain. The kit manufacturer stated that the airplane is flyable with the canopy open.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.