Weinberg RV-6 N690V

Summary

On 26 April 2009 at about 20:00 local time, a Weinberg RV-6 registered N690V, operated by Robert M McKay Trustee, was involved in an accident near Sparks, Nevada, 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

26 April 2009 at 20:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Sparks, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Air Sailing Gliderport (NV23)

Coordinates

39.8719, -119.7008

Aircraft

Weinberg RV-6

Registration

N690V

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Robert M McKay Trustee

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Sparks → Cameron Park

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR09LA218

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's failure to follow the pre-takeoff checklist that resulted in the canopy opening during takeoff, which created a distraction, and his failure to maintain aircraft control during landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane's canopy opened on the takeoff roll prior to liftoff. Noting that there was not enough remaining runway to land safely, he continued the climb to 1,000 feet where he attempted to close the canopy. He was able to partially lock the canopy, and returned to the pattern to make a precautionary landing. The pilot reported that while in the landing flare the canopy opened again, obscuring his forward view. A witness reported that the airplane bounced on touchdown, became airborne, and then touched down again on the runway. After touching down, the right wing dropped and the airplane veered to the right. The airplane then made a rapid 90-degree left turn and went up on its nose, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented had he used his pre-takeoff checklist and ensured that the canopy had been completely closed prior to takeoff. Both the pilot and a witness reported a quartering headwind with about a 15-knot crosswind.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.