Van'S Aircraft, Inc. RV-12 N73712 accident near Windom, Minnesota

Probable cause

The pilot's loss of airplane control after liftoff due to his distraction with the unsecured canopy, which he did not lock before takeoff.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he inadvertently did not secure the canopy latch after entering the cabin. After liftoff, he noticed air entering the cockpit from the unsecured canopy. He stated that he was distracted with securing the canopy as the airplane descended toward the runway. The airplane collided with the runway as he attempted to reestablish a level flight attitude. The airplane subsequently slid off the right side of the runway into a soybean field. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded the normal operation of the airplane. Additionally, he stated that the accident could have been prevented had he focused on flying the airplane instead of attempting to secure the unlatched canopy.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11LA601 for the full record.