Event WPR10CA428

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

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or 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