Summary
On March 10, 2013, a Evektor-aerotechnik As SPORTSTAR (N811EV) was involved in an accident near San Jose, CA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequately latch the canopy before takeoff.
The pilot stated that he was practicing stop-and-go landings when during the second takeoff, as the airplane was about 10 feet above the runway, the cockpit canopy began to open up and rotate forward. The pilot reached up with his right hand to the canopy handle, located above his head, to hold the canopy down. He decided to abort the takeoff and pointed the airplane back toward the runway. With one hand on the stick and the other on the canopy he could not manipulate the throttle and the airplane landed faster than normal. During the landing roll, the airplane departed the runway, substantially damaging the left wing root and buckling the fuselage behind the firewall.
This accident is documented in NTSB report WPR13CA142. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N811EV.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to adequately latch the canopy before takeoff.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot stated that he was practicing stop-and-go landings when during the second takeoff, as the airplane was about 10 feet above the runway, the cockpit canopy began to open up and rotate forward. The pilot reached up with his right hand to the canopy handle, located above his head, to hold the canopy down. He decided to abort the takeoff and pointed the airplane back toward the runway. With one hand on the stick and the other on the canopy he could not manipulate the throttle and the airplane landed faster than normal. During the landing roll, the airplane departed the runway, substantially damaging the left wing root and buckling the fuselage behind the firewall. Post accident examination of the canopy locking mechanism revealed that the canopy latch and handle was functioning correctly.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR13CA142