Pilot Debrief

BARROW TED A ONE EASY near Battle Creek, MI — 2015-08-28

Final reportCEN15FA386
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Date
2015-08-28
Location
Battle Creek, MI, USA
Airport
KBTL
Aircraft
BARROW TED A ONE EASY
Registration
N227TB
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
1
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to his diverted attention to the canopy opening in flight.

NTSB narrative

The pilot planned to return to his home airport in a homebuilt kit airplane. A witness recorded the airplane taxi from the ramp to the taxiway, and the video showed that the right side of the canopy appeared to be bouncing open slightly as the airplane taxied. A witness reported that, during departure, the airplane rocked side-to-side, and the controller reported that the airplane did not track a straight line during the takeoff and was flying erratically once airborne. Another witness reported that the canopy was open and that the pilot was clearly visible with no glass over his head during the takeoff. An airport security video captured the airplane on the downwind leg when it made a 180-degree turn back to the departure runway, banked in excess of 90 degrees, then rapidly dropped and impacted terrain. However, the video did not provide a detailed view of the canopy. A postcrash fire erupted. The fire consumed a majority of the composite airplane; therefore, a detailed examination of the canopy hinge and locking system was not possible. However, the erratic flying and turn toward the airport just after takeoff is consistent with the pilot's loss of control while trying to make an emergency return to the airport after the canopy opened in flight.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot failed to ensure canopy was closed and locked before takeoff.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Video
  • Photos
  • 7 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents7

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