Page Russell L LONG EZ N27RP

Summary

On 13 April 2018 at about 17:55 local time, a Page Russell L LONG EZ registered N27RP was involved in an accident near Wakefield, Virginia, 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

13 April 2018 at 17:55

Classification

Accident

Location

Wakefield, Virginia, United States

Nearest airport

Wakefield Muni (AKQ)

Coordinates

36.9872, -77.0011

Aircraft

Page Russell L LONG EZ

Registration

N27RP

Category

Airplane

Year built

1987

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wakefield → Wakefield

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA18CA215

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to secure the canopy before flight, which resulted in the airplane striking a fence during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the Before Takeoff checklist and In-flight Canopy Opening checklist emergency procedure.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot in the experimental, amateur-built airplane, during takeoff climb about 200 ft above ground level (agl), the airplane's canopy fully opened. The pilot immediately turned downwind and eventually turned final about 200 ft agl. He reported that his vision was impaired by the wind and that he misjudged the airplane's position to the runway. The airplane struck a 10-ft-tall fence that was about 70 ft from the approach end of the runway. The pilot was able to land on the runway, and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing. The first item in the Before Takeoff checklist stated: Emergency Canopy access door – closed/locked. The last item in the Before Takeoff checklist stated: Canopy – Locked – visually confirm proper latch and safety engagement According to the In-flight Canopy Opening checklist emergency procedure, Should the canopy come fully open 90° in flight immediately grab the canopy/rail handle and pull the canopy down. Be sure to maintain aircraft control. The aircraft is controllable and can be landed safely with the canopy being held down against the fingers. Remember to maintain aircraft control. Do not be so concerned with closing the canopy that you allow the aircraft to fly unnecessarily into the ground. The pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented by not deviating from the Before Takeoff checklist. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.