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ERA12CA506

2012-08-12 · Myerstown, Pennsylvania, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport 9D4

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The student pilot's decision to continue the takeoff roll while trying to secure an open canopy and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control. Contributing to the accident was the student pilot's failure to complete the pretakeoff checklist.

Factual narrative

The student pilot reported that he intended to conduct a solo flight. He utilized the airplane's checklist, started the engine and taxied to the runway uneventfully. While holding short of the runway and completing pretakeoff checklist items, the student pilot was distracted by an airplane approaching to land. The student pilot missed an item on the checklist, which called for locking the cockpit canopy. During the ensuing takeoff roll, the canopy began rattling and flapping open. The student pilot reached behind his head and attempted to secure the canopy. During that time, the airplane veered left off the left side of the runway and the left wing struck a propane tank. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane, nor did the student pilot report any. The student pilot reported that he intended to conduct a solo flight. He used the airplane's checklist, started the engine, and taxied to the runway uneventfully. While holding short of the runway and completing pretakeoff checklist items, the student pilot was distracted by an airplane approaching to land. The student pilot missed the item on the checklist that called for locking the cockpit canopy. During the ensuing takeoff roll, the canopy began rattling and flapping open. The student pilot reached behind his head and attempted to secure the canopy. During that time, the airplane veered off of the left side of the runway and the left wing struck a propane tank. Examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage. The examination did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane nor did the student pilot report any. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft structures-Doors-Passenger/crew doors-Incorrect use/operation
  • F Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of checklist-Pilot - F

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2012_ERA12CA506.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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