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March 25, 2022 · Czech Sport Aircraft A S Sportcruiser · N823MM

Lanark, NM

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 25, 2022
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Lanark, NM
Aircraft
Czech Sport Aircraft A S Sportcruiser (2015)
Tail Number
N823MM
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
WPR22LA137

The pilot was performing a power-off stall at about 6,500 ft mean sea level during a personal flight. He stated that, as the nose of the airplane dropped, the left canopy latch “let loose.” About 4 to 5 seconds later, the right canopy latch “let go,” and the entire windscreen “popped up like a speed brake.” The airplane’s pitch remained nose down, and the airplane impacted terrain, substantially damaging the left wing and fuselage. Postaccident examination of the wreckage found no preimpact anomalies with the canopy or canopy operating system. Although the pilot reported that the left-side latch came loose before the right-side latch, the examination found that the locking mechanisms engaged and disengaged from both sides of the canopy at the same time when the canopy locking handle was lowered and raised. Examination of the canopy locking system showed that the canopy locking handle required about 1/4 inch of upward movement from the locked and stowed position for the locking mechanisms to reach an over-center position that effectively unlocked the canopy. The accident circumstances were consistent with the pilot’s loss of control of the airplane during flight after the inadvertent unlocking and opening of the canopy. The reason that the canopy locking handle became unstowed during the accident flight could not be determined based on the available evidence from the investigation.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot’s loss of control of the airplane after the inadvertent unlocking and opening of the canopy for reasons that could not be determined based on available evidence.

Full Narrative

On March 24, 2022, about 1845 mountain daylight time, a Czech Sport Aircraft Sportcruiser airplane, N823MM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lanark, New Mexico. The pilot sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot stated the purpose of the flight was to calibrate a new angle-of-attack gauge that had been recently installed in the airplane. He climbed the airplane to an altitude of about 6,500 ft mean sea level and performed a power-off stall. As the nose of the airplane dropped, the left canopy latch “broke loose.” About 4 to 5 seconds later, the right canopy latch “blew open,” and the entire windscreen “popped up like a speed brake.” The airplane’s pitch remained nose down and the airplane impacted terrain, substantially damaging the left wing and fuselage. GPS data from a recovered device were consistent with the pilot’s statement. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed no preimpact anomalies with the canopy or canopy operating system. The canopy locking handle was located on the back console panel between the two cockpit seats and was attached to a connecting rod equipped with identical locking hook mechanisms on each side of the fuselage/canopy opening. The canopy locking mechanisms disengaged and engaged simultaneously when the handle was manipulated. The locking mechanisms disengaged when the locking handle was pulled up and engaged fully (locked) when it was pushed fully down into a stowed position. The locking mechanisms consisted of a welded tab on the connecting rod joined to a pushrod that was attached to the canopy latch. When the canopy locking handle was lifted, an over-center position was reached after about 1/4 inch of upward movement of the locking handle. The locking handle traveled about 3 additional inches before the locking mechanisms reached the fully disengaged position.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:45 MDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCzech Sport Aircraft A S Sportcruiser
Tail NumberN823MM
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 912ULS · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 70 · Sprt · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.08 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data