Summary
On August 15, 2010, a Oliver A Bruce RV6-A (N50BU) was involved in an accident near Trenton, MO. The accident resulted in 1 serious injury, 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The canopy opening shortly after takeoff due to an inadequate repair and subsequent failure of the canopy latch, resulting in a emergency landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of available runway remaining for the forced landing.
The pilot reported that the cockpit canopy latch had broken at the conclusion of the previous flight. The latch was welded and reinstalled prior to the accident flight. After takeoff, the repaired canopy latch failed as the airplane climbed through 50 feet above ground level. The pilot attempted to land on the remaining runway due to the possibility of the canopy separating and striking the empennage in flight. However, he was unable to stop on the remaining runway and the airplane struck a ditch during the runway excursion. The nose landing gear subsequently collapsed and the airplane nosed over.
This accident is documented in NTSB report CEN10CA481. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N50BU.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The canopy opening shortly after takeoff due to an inadequate repair and subsequent failure of the canopy latch, resulting in a emergency landing. Contributing to the accident was the lack of available runway remaining for the forced landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot reported that the cockpit canopy latch had broken at the conclusion of the previous flight. The latch was welded and reinstalled prior to the accident flight. After takeoff, the repaired canopy latch failed as the airplane climbed through 50 feet above ground level. The pilot attempted to land on the remaining runway due to the possibility of the canopy separating and striking the empennage in flight. However, he was unable to stop on the remaining runway and the airplane struck a ditch during the runway excursion. The nose landing gear subsequently collapsed and the airplane nosed over.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN10CA481