Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER N999VS

Summary

On 16 October 2011 at about 20:10 local time, a Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER registered N999VS, operated by O'hearn Larry N, was involved in an accident near Las Vegas, 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

16 October 2011 at 20:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Nearest airport

Henderson Executive Airport (KHND)

Coordinates

35.9728, -115.1344

Aircraft

Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER

Registration

N999VS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

O'hearn Larry N

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Las Vegas → Las Vegas

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR12CA014

Nobody was injured.

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.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

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.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.