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CEN12CA121

2012-01-03 · Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport TCS

Current FAA registration · N120J

Make / Model
BUTLER JOHN R SX 300
Year of manufacture
1988 · 24 years old at event
Engine
LYCOMING IO-540 SER (300 hp)
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
19880706
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A0547A

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

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

Factual narrative

Prior to takeoff, the pilot forgot to properly latch the canopy. Shortly after rotation, the pilot noticed the canopy had partially opened. 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 the fuselage was bent and buckled. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft structures-Doors-Passenger/crew doors-Incorrect use/operation - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Attention-Pilot - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2012_CEN12CA121.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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