Butler John R SX 300 N120J

Summary

On 3 January 2012 at about 18:30 local time, a Butler John R SX 300 registered N120J was involved in an accident near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

3 January 2012 at 18:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Truth or Consequences Municipa (TCS)

Coordinates

33.2369, -107.2717

Aircraft

Butler John R SX 300

Registration

N120J

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Truth or Consequences → Truth or Consequences

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN12CA121

Nobody was injured.

The pilot did not maintain airplane control during takeoff due to his distraction with the improperly secured canopy, which he forgot to latch.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

Prior to takeoff, the pilot forgot to properly latch the canopy. Shortly after rotation, the pilot noticed that the canopy had partially opened, which resulted in a distraction and a loss of airplane control. Subsequently, the airplane contacted the runway, and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane came to rest upright on the side of the runway. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the fuselage was bent and buckled. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.