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GAA17CA272

2017-05-07 · Chesterfield, Missouri, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport SUS

Current FAA registration · N458V

Make / Model
SONEX AIRCRAFT SUBSONEX JSX-2
Year of manufacture
2016 · 1 years old at event
Engine
AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG
Seats / Engines
1 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20161027
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A591AF

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s failure to ensure that the canopy was properly secured before takeoff, which resulted in an unstable landing flare and hard landing.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, after takeoff, about "100 ft. above ground level" the canopy opened and the airplane became "very hard to control". He added, that he was able to return to the airport to land, however during the approach the airplane was unstable due to the "pitching and yawing". Subsequently, during the landing flare when he reduced engine power, the airplane touched down hard and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane exited the runway to the right, and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that, after takeoff, about "100 ft. above ground level," the canopy opened and the airplane became "very hard to control." He added that he was able to return to the airport to land; however, during the approach, the airplane was unstable due to the "pitching and yawing." Subsequently, during the landing flare, when he reduced engine power, the airplane touched down hard, and the landing gear collapsed. The airplane exited the runway to the right and came to rest nose down. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions 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-Unintentional use/operation - C
  • C Personnel issues-Action/decision-Action-Forgotten action/omission-Pilot - C
  • C Personnel issues-Task performance-Use of equip/info-Aircraft control-Pilot - C
  • — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Landing flare-Attain/maintain not possible
  • — Personnel issues-Task performance-Inspection-Preflight inspection-Pilot

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2017_GAA17CA272.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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