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GAA20CA092

2019-11-23 · Lamar, Colorado, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport LAA

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's distraction due to an open canopy during final approach, which resulted in a loss of altitude and ground impact short of the runway.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, during approach the canopy opened, and he was distracted "because it was like a tornado in the plane." He attempted to hold the canopy closed and in the confusion the airplane impacted the ground short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. According to FAA Aviation Safety Inspectors that examined the airplane after the accident, no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies were found with the canopy handle, latch, or the catch. The pilot reported that, during the approach, the canopy opened, and he was distracted "because it was like a tornado in the plane." He attempted to hold the canopy closed, and in the confusion, the airplane impacted the ground short of the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing. According to Federal Aviation Administration inspectors who examined the airplane after the accident, no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies were found with the canopy handle, latch, or catch. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

  • C Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Altitude-Not attained/maintained - C
  • C Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Attention-Pilot - C
  • C Aircraft-Aircraft structures-Windows-windshield system-(general)-Not specified - C

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2019_GAA20CA092.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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