Pilot Debrief

EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS SPORTSTAR PLUS near Elyria, OH — 2013-05-30

Final reportCEN13LA308
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Date
2013-05-30
Location
Elyria, OH, USA
Airport
KLPR
Aircraft
EVEKTOR-AEROTECHNIK AS SPORTSTAR PLUS
Registration
N319SV
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The failure of the canopy latch spring, which caused the canopy to open during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an improper part in the canopy latch assembly, which led to the failure of the canopy latch spring.

NTSB narrative

During initial takeoff climb after performing a touch-and-go landing, the airplane's canopy opened to the forward position. The pilot landed the aircraft on the remaining runway; however, the airplane departed the end of the runway, struck a landing threshold light, and came to rest upright. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the canopy latch spring had failed. In addition, the spring mounting plate used to hold the spring in position did not have a relief area machined into the plate that was required for the correct operation of the spring. The spring and assembly had been installed approximately 32 hours prior to the accident.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Mechanical failure
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have checked canopy latch before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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