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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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December 7, 2024 · William M Clapp Clapp-Saberwing · N100SW

Valdosta, GA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 7, 2024
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Valdosta, GA
Aircraft
William M Clapp Clapp-Saberwing (2019)
Tail Number
N100SW
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA25LA070

The private pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings and reported that while maneuvering through the traffic pattern, the canopy became partially opened. The canopy was equipped with two side latches and one main latch at the rear of the canopy. The right-side latch held the canopy partially secured until the final approach segment when it also released, and the canopy opened completely. The airplane subsequently nosed down and contacted the ground nose first just short of the runway whereupon the nose landing gear separated from the airplane and the main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot was seriously injured. The pilot reported forgetting to lock the main rear latch to the canopy after opening it during taxi. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

NTSB Probable Cause

A hard landing and subsequent gear collapse due to the pilot’s failure to securely close the airplane canopy and its subsequent opening on short final.

Full Narrative

The private pilot was practicing takeoffs and landings and reported that while maneuvering through the traffic pattern, the canopy became partially opened. The canopy was equipped with two side latches and one main latch at the rear of the canopy. The right-side latch held the canopy partially secured until the final approach segment when it also released, and the canopy opened completely. The airplane subsequently nosed down and contacted the ground nose first just short of the runway whereupon the nose landing gear separated from the airplane and the main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot was seriously injured. The pilot reported forgetting to lock the main rear latch to the canopy after opening it during taxi. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:27 EST
Nearest AirportValdosta Regional (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length8003 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWilliam M Clapp Clapp-Saberwing
Tail NumberN100SW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCorvair · Corvair/spide · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 50 · Basc · Serious

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 5 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54 F / 19 F
Altimeter30.39 inHg
Observation Time11:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data