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WPR10CA428

2010-08-01 · Carlsbad, California, United States · None · 1 aircraft · Status: Completed

Airport CRQ

Current FAA registration · N525JH

Make / Model
VAN'S AIRCRAFT RV-8A
Year of manufacture
2005 · 5 years old at event
Engine
AMA/EXPR UNKNOWN ENG
Seats / Engines
2 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date
20050310
ADS-B equipped
Yes — Mode-S A69C51

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot’s inadequate pretakeoff checks and failure to maintain control during the takeoff roll. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s diverted attention due to the open canopy.

Factual narrative

The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll at the time of rotation, the canopy started to slide rearward. As the pilot attempted to close the canopy, the airplane nosed over and the propeller struck the runway substantially damaging the airplane’s firewall. The pilot further reported that the accident could have been prevented by conducting a “second check of proper canopy closure prior to entering [the] runway.” The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. The pilot reported that during the takeoff roll, at the time of rotation, the canopy started to slide rearward. As the pilot attempted to close the canopy the airplane nosed over and the propeller struck the runway, substantially damaging the airplane’s firewall. The pilot further reported that the accident could have been prevented by conducting a “second check of proper canopy closure prior to entering [the] runway.” The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine prior to the accident. 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-Inspection-Preflight inspection-Pilot - C
  • F Personnel issues-Psychological-Attention/monitoring-Attention-Pilot - F

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2010_WPR10CA428.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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