N999VS – CZECH AIRCRAFT WORKS SPOL SRO SPORTCRUISER – 2011-10-16 NTSB Accident Report

On October 16, 2011, a Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER (N999VS) was involved in an incident near Las Vegas, NV. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: 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.

The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff during the cross wind turn the canopy popped open. The pilot continued to fly the airplane while trying to hold the canopy down with his left hand. The airplane began to porpoise and lose altitude. The pilot was unable to achieve a slow cruise stable attitude. He continued to fly the airplane for an emergency landing to the duty runway, he pulled the power off and stalled the airplane 4-5 feet above the runway, which resulted in a hard landing.

The Sport Cruiser Pilot Operating Handbook, Supplement No. 03 states the following in section 6.7.3. "Recommendation for canopy opening during the aircraft takeoff: 1. Do not try to close the canopy! 2. Continue the takeoff. 3. Clime to a safe altitude, and reach 120 km/h (65 kts) 4.

This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR12CA014. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N999VS.