Amateur-built 1M N1111V accident near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control while on final approach as he was executing a turn to provide spacing between his airplane and an airplane on the runway.

NTSB analysis

The pilot was flying his experimental home-built airplane on a cross-country flight when the canopy came loose, so he diverted to another airport to tighten the canopy. His airplane was on the downwind leg in the traffic pattern and another airplane was on final approach. Several witnesses said that when the accident airplane was on final approach in the traffic pattern, the pilot attempted to make a 180-degree turn. The pilot likely saw the other airplane on the runway, and, not knowing its intention, he attempted to add more space between his airplane and the other airplane. The accident airplane was observed about 400 feet above the ground in a 45-degree banked turn. The accident airplane subsequently descended and impacted terrain. The accident pilot did not have a current medical certificate. No preimpact anomalies were detected during a postaccident examination of the wreckage.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN12LA179 for the full record.