Pilot Debrief

KLAPP PETER A KLAPP KR-2S near Wadsworth, OH — 2021-09-03

Final reportCEN21LA395
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Date
2021-09-03
Location
Wadsworth, OH, USA
Airport
3G3
Aircraft
KLAPP PETER A KLAPP KR-2S
Registration
N729PK
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Approach

Probable cause

A loss of airplane control for a reason that could not be determined based on available information.

NTSB narrative

The pilot was returning the amateur-built airplane to the airport shortly after departure. The pilot of another airplane in the area reported that he heard the accident pilot announce that he was returning to the airport due to an unspecified canopy problem. The accident airplane subsequently pitched nose down into a small lake near the airport. Postaccident examination of the recovered components found no anomalies. Portions of the canopy system were recovered, including the left hinge, but the right hinge and latching mechanism were not recovered. It is possible the left or right latching mechanism, which operated independently of each other, failed, or became disengaged; however, no determination could be made regarding the condition of the canopy at the time the pilot communicated the unspecified canopy issue. It is also possible that an open canopy could have affected the airplane’s flight performance. However, due to the unique nature of the amateur-built airplane, the flight control and performance effects of a potentially open canopy during flight could not be quantified. Based on the available evidence, the accident was the result of a loss of control for a reason that could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have secured the canopy before attempting to land.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • ADS-B / radar
  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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