Loss of Control in Flight · NTSB CEN10FA278
EVEKTOR AEROTECHNIK Sportstar Plus — Richmond, TX
| Date | May 29, 2010 |
| Location | Richmond, TX |
| Aircraft | EVEKTOR AEROTECHNIK Sportstar Plus |
| Purpose of flight | Personal |
| Conditions | Dawn · Visual Meteorological Cond |
| Phase / occurrence | Uncontrolled descent Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) |
| Pilot age | 76 |
| Pilot total time | 1,662 hrs · Experienced |
| Time in type | 100 hrs |
| Fatalities | 1 |
Probable cause
NTSB findings
- Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
- Aircraft-Aircraft structures-Doors-Passenger/crew doors-Incorrect use/operation - C
What happened
The airplane was on final approach when it suddenly nosed down and impacted terrain about 400 feet short of the approach end of the runway. The airplane came to rest upright. The forward hinged cockpit canopy separated from the airplane during the impact and came to rest about 20 feet from the main wreckage. The pilot (who later died from his injuries) told several witnesses and first responders that the cockpit canopy came open in flight and he subsequently lost control of the airplane. A postaccident examination of the airplane and the cockpit canopy latch mechanism revealed no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operations. The canopy latch was likely not secured properly before takeoff because there were no witness marks on the latch mechanism.