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GAA15CA198

2015-07-26 · Eufaula, Alabama, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport EUF

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's failure to maintain direction control during takeoff, and the pilot's failure to ensure that the canopy of the airplane was secured and locked prior to departure.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that after completing his before takeoff checklist, the checklist was "blown" outside of the airplane. After he retrieved the checklist and restarted his engine, he stated that he "scanned all the instruments but did not go through the complete checklist". As the main landing gear lifted of the runway during the takeoff roll the canopy "popped up". The pilot stated that as he was attempting to close the canopy, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway and impacted trees about 8 feet above the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that after completing his before takeoff checklist, the checklist was "blown" outside of the airplane. After he retrieved the checklist and restarted his engine, he stated that he "scanned all the instruments but did not go through the complete checklist". As the main landing gear lifted off the runway during the takeoff roll the canopy "popped up". The pilot stated that as he was attempting to close the canopy, the airplane drifted to the left of the runway and impacted trees about 8 feet above the ground.  The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and empennage.   The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Use of checklist-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Directional control-Not attained/maintained - C
  • — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Object/animal/substance-Tree(s)-Effect on equipment

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2015_GAA15CA198.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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