Premium research interface

The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.

Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.

63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Featured Report

Loading…

Loading featured report…

Loading…
Open Report

Safety trends by operating rule

Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.

Loading trend charts…

Browse the aviation graph

Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.

Last Data Update

By Decade

By Month

Aircraft Manufacturer

More manufacturers

Airports

More airports

Operators

More operators

About

Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.

The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.

FAQs

NTSB Report

May 20, 2000 · Avions Mudry Et Cie CAP 231 · N231X

Ephrata, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 2000
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Ephrata, WA
Aircraft
Avions Mudry Et Cie CAP 231
Tail Number
N231X
Operator
Norman R Willis
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA00LA088

The pilot reported that shortly after becoming airborne (30-40 feet above ground level [AGL]), the aircraft's canopy blew opened. He reported that when the canopy opened, a blast of air blew off his left contact lens obscuring his vision and depth perception. After unsuccessful attempts to latch the canopy, the pilot closed the throttle and aborted the takeoff. When the airplane touched down on the runway, it bounced back into the air. The pilot applied full power and initiated a go-around. He reported that after initiating the go-around, he turned the airplane to the south in an attempt to land on runway 11. However, the pilot was unable to maintain altitude, as a result of damage sustained to the propeller during the bounced landing, and the airplane subsequently collided with terrain. Post-accident inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector from the Spokane, Washington, Flight Standards District Office, and the airplane owner, revealed that the canopy latch functioned properly. The pilot later stated that he could not confirm that the canopy was latched properly prior to the accident flight.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control subsequent to the aircraft's canopy opening in flight. Factors include the pilot's failure confirm that the aircraft's canopy was secured prior to takeoff and impaired vision.

Full Narrative

On May 20, 2000, about 1415 Pacific daylight time, an Avions Mudry et Cie, Cap 231, N231X, was substantially damaged after an aborted takeoff from Ephrata Municipal Airport (EPH), Ephrata, Washington. The aircraft was being operated under Title 14 CFR 91 when the accident occurred. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. There was no fire and no report of ELT activation. The pilot reported that shortly after becoming airborne (30-40 feet above ground level [AGL]), the aircraft's canopy blew opened. He reported that when the canopy opened, a blast of air blew off his left contact lens obscuring his vision and depth perception. After unsuccessful attempts to latch the canopy, the pilot closed the throttle and aborted the takeoff. When the airplane touched down, on the runway, it bounced back into the air. The pilot applied full power and initiated a go-around. He reported that after initiating the go-around, he turned the airplane to the south in an attempt to land on runway 11. However, the pilot was unable to maintain altitude, as a result of damage sustained to the propeller during the bounced landing, and the airplane subsequently collided with terrain beyond the departure end of the runway. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage during the accident sequence. Post-accident inspection of the airplane by an FAA inspector from the Spokane, Washington, Flight Standards District Office, and the airplane owner, revealed that the canopy latch functioned properly. The pilot later stated that he could not confirm that the canopy was latched properly prior to the accident flight.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:15 PDT
Nearest AirportEphrata Municipal (1nm SSW)
Runway11
Runway Length3843 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAvions Mudry Et Cie CAP 231
Tail NumberN231X
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorNorman R Willis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-540-L185 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 55 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 11 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 18000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point30 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time21:51
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data