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RV4 pilot reports canopy opening during attempted takeoff; resulting in momentary loss of control and a runway excursion.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 931485 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201101 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | RV-4 |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Takeoff |
| Route In Use | None |
| Flight Plan | None |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Cockpit Canopy Window |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 10.2 Flight Crew Total 1426.3 Flight Crew Type 22.7 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Ground Excursion Runway Inflight Event / Encounter Loss Of Aircraft Control |
Narrative:
My passenger and I boarded my aircraft; an rv-4; at my hangar. The purpose of our flight was recreational. We planned to remain in the local area and return in about an hour. After a detailed briefing of my passenger regarding safety issues and what to expect during the flight I started the aircraft and taxied to the runup/hold line where I performed the pre-takeoff operations. I then announced on unicom that we were taking the active runway and rolling for takeoff. The takeoff roll was completely normal and on centerline until the tail was raised prior to rotation. At that point the canopy suddenly popped open (it opens by folding up toward the starboard side of the aircraft) causing the aircraft to veer to the left and leave the runway at a slight angle as I closed the throttle to idle. As this is a tailwheel aircraft; use of the wheel brakes in this situation is; in my opinion; inadvisable since braking in combination with soft surface conditions can lead to the aircraft nosing over or ground looping. Directional control was maintained throughout the straight rollout and the aircraft remained in a three-point attitude; stopping in soft dirt at an angle to the runway. There was no propeller; wing; tail or fuselage contact with the ground or any obstruction. Takeoff was successfully aborted and the aircraft did not achieve flight or leave the ground on its takeoff roll. The canopy lock pin was evidently not engaged fully thereby allowing the latch to vibrate open during the acceleration phase of the takeoff roll. After I had shut down and secured the engine; my passenger and I inspected the aircraft for damage and determined it was safe to taxi back to the hangar. Taxi back to my hangar was uneventful. Damage to the aircraft is limited to the plexiglas canopy and the canopy frame cross-brace (where it attaches to the pneumatic canopy opening gas-assist strut); as well as the port side wheel pant which detached from the aircraft while traveling over the unpaved ground. There were no injuries and no damage to objects on the ground. The aircraft was in safe and airworthy condition when I began my takeoff run. I recommend a 'canopy unlocked' warning device be installed in all rv-4 aircraft; with warning switched off only when latch pin is fully engaged.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: RV4 pilot reports canopy opening during attempted takeoff; resulting in momentary loss of control and a runway excursion.
Narrative: My passenger and I boarded my aircraft; an RV-4; at my hangar. The purpose of our flight was recreational. We planned to remain in the local area and return in about an hour. After a detailed briefing of my passenger regarding safety issues and what to expect during the flight I started the aircraft and taxied to the runup/hold line where I performed the pre-takeoff operations. I then announced on Unicom that we were taking the active runway and rolling for takeoff. The takeoff roll was completely normal and on centerline until the tail was raised prior to rotation. At that point the canopy suddenly popped open (it opens by folding up toward the starboard side of the aircraft) causing the aircraft to veer to the left and leave the runway at a slight angle as I closed the throttle to idle. As this is a tailwheel aircraft; use of the wheel brakes in this situation is; in my opinion; inadvisable since braking in combination with soft surface conditions can lead to the aircraft nosing over or ground looping. Directional control was maintained throughout the straight rollout and the aircraft remained in a three-point attitude; stopping in soft dirt at an angle to the runway. There was no propeller; wing; tail or fuselage contact with the ground or any obstruction. Takeoff was successfully aborted and the aircraft did not achieve flight or leave the ground on its takeoff roll. The canopy lock pin was evidently not engaged fully thereby allowing the latch to vibrate open during the acceleration phase of the takeoff roll. After I had shut down and secured the engine; my passenger and I inspected the aircraft for damage and determined it was safe to taxi back to the hangar. Taxi back to my hangar was uneventful. Damage to the aircraft is limited to the Plexiglas canopy and the canopy frame cross-brace (where it attaches to the pneumatic canopy opening gas-assist strut); as well as the port side wheel pant which detached from the aircraft while traveling over the unpaved ground. There were no injuries and no damage to objects on the ground. The aircraft was in safe and airworthy condition when I began my takeoff run. I recommend a 'canopy unlocked' warning device be installed in all RV-4 aircraft; with warning switched off only when latch pin is fully engaged.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.