Czech Sport Aircraft A S SPORTCRUISER N297SC

Summary

On 17 May 2012 at about 20:15 local time, a Czech Sport Aircraft A S SPORTCRUISER registered N297SC, operated by Mid Island Air Service, was involved in an accident near Shirley, New York, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

17 May 2012 at 20:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Shirley, New York, United States

Nearest airport

Brookhaven Airport (HWV)

Coordinates

40.8214, -72.8728

Aircraft

Czech Sport Aircraft A S SPORTCRUISER

Registration

N297SC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Mid Island Air Service

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Instructional

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Shirley → Shirley

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA12CA341

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after the cockpit canopy opened during the takeoff climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to securely lock the canopy before takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings. He reported that he opened the canopy to vent the cockpit before takeoff; however, he was unsure if he verified that it was latched and locked. The pilot completed one takeoff and landing, and, on the next takeoff, the canopy lifted off of the frame during the initial climb. The pilot unsuccessfully attempted to close the canopy and continued the climb but was unsure if the airplane would maintain clearance from trees located beyond the departure end of the runway. He banked the airplane to avoid striking trees and the airplane entered a stall. The pilot pitched the airplane down and was able to recover it from the stall; however, the airplane impacted the ground resulting in substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. A postaccident examination of the airplane and canopy revealed that there were no preaccident malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.