Pilot Debrief

HELPLING HELEN C TANGO 2 near Ocala, FL — 2014-04-04

Final reportERA14LA180
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Date
2014-04-04
Location
Ocala, FL, USA
Airport
OCF
Aircraft
HELPLING HELEN C TANGO 2
Registration
N599WT
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after the left cockpit canopy opened during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined due to fire damage.

NTSB narrative

Witnesses reported that the engine sounded smooth and continuous at "full" power throughout the takeoff. After the airplane climbed to about 20 ft above the runway, the left canopy suddenly "popped open" and began "flapping up and down." The pilot reported that, in response, she reduced the engine power. The airplane then began "porpoising" before it entered a steep left bank and subsequently impacted grass on the left side of the runway in a left-wing-low attitude. The pilot egressed and then crawled away from the airplane and awaited assistance. The airplane was consumed by a postcrash fire. The left canopy was found separated from the airplane outside the fire area. The handle was found in the "open" position. The pilot reported no mechanical deficiencies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. She stated that, although she had used a checklist during her preflight and pretakeoff activities, which included a checklist item to ensure the security of the canopy, she "could never know" if she had failed to secure the canopy latch or if the latch had somehow malfunctioned. Fire damage to the canopy frame and latch point in the fuselage precluded a determination of what caused the left canopy to open in flight.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Ensuring the canopy was securely latched before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 10 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents10

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