ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 352780
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| Date: | Wednesday 18 August 1999 |
| Time: | 14:20 LT |
| Type: |  Diamond DA 20-A1 |
| Owner/operator: | Diamond Aviation |
| Registration: | N854DF |
| MSN: | 10181 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 1119 hours |
| Engine model: | Rotax 912-F3 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | San Carlos, CA -
 United States of America
|
| Phase: | Initial climb |
| Nature: | Private |
| Departure airport: | (KSQL) |
| Investigating agency: | NTSB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
On takeoff the pilot reported that the left canopy latch popped open. He verified that the right canopy latch was secure and radioed that he was returning to land. After turning an early crosswind and leveling his wings, the canopy came open in flight. The pilot made a mayday call, held the control stick full forward, and made a landing on a dirt road off the departure end of the runway. According to the aircraft manufacturer, if the aft hinged canopy opens in flight, a significant increase in drag occurs and controllability becomes marginal. An FAA inspector examined the aircraft's canopy after the accident. He could not identify any malfunctions with either of the canopy latches. He then functionally checked both of the corresponding latch closed micro switches and the enunciator light circuits, and found that they were working properly.
Probable Cause: The release of the aircraft's left canopy latch following takeoff resulting in the subsequent opening of the canopy in flight. The opened canopy resulted in a degradation of aircraft control and the subsequent hard landing.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
NTSB LAX99LA264
Location
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 08-Mar-2024 17:55 | ASN Update Bot | Added |
Corrections or additions? ... Edit this accident description
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