Yeager LANCAIR N320CY

Summary

On 2 September 2010 at about 19:00 local time, a Yeager LANCAIR registered N320CY, operated by Donald Yeager, was involved in an accident near McMinnville, Tennessee, 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

2 September 2010 at 19:00

Classification

Accident

Location

McMinnville, Tennessee, United States

Nearest airport

Warren County Memorial Airport (RNC)

Coordinates

35.6986, -85.8436

Aircraft

Yeager LANCAIR

Registration

N320CY

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Donald Yeager

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

McMinnville → McMinnville

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA10CA461

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to properly latch the cockpit canopy prior to takeoff, resulting in his diverted attention and failure to maintain aircraft control.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot stated that he taxied to the runway for the purpose of performing a high speed taxi run. After an engine run-up, he latched the two canopy latches on the right side and scanned the instrument panel, noticing that the cylinder head temperature and oil temperature were rising. He stated that his attention was diverted in concern of the rising temperature and did not recall if he latched the two latches on the left side of the canopy. He started the takeoff roll and after becoming airborne, he noticed the canopy opening on the left side. The pilot attempted to latch the canopy, but realized it would take both hands, and continued to climb to pattern altitude while trimming the aircraft for better airspeed control. He then pulled the throttle back to slow the airspeed and attempted to latch the canopy. The canopy started flapping up and down, and when he tried to secure it shut with his hands he was not be able to control the airplane. He stated that debris was flying everywhere and the wind blew off his headset. When he realized that he was getting low he added full engine power and looked for a clear area; shortly thereafter the airplane collided with the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.