Probable cause
The pilot's failure to latch the canopy before departure, which resulted in the canopy opening and the subsequent loss of airplane control.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during takeoff, as the airplane lifted off, the canopy opened. Subsequently, the airplane descended and landed hard, and the nose landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector reported that, during a postaccident examination of the airplane about a week after the accident, the canopy latches appeared to be in good condition and operated fine. The pilot added as a safety recommendation to "double check the canopy latch."
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA20CA027 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Oct 11, 2019
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Gastonia, North Carolina
- Nearest airport
- Gastonia Muni (AKH)
- Highest injury
- Minor
- Minor injuries
- 1
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Zenith ZENITH 601XLB
- N-number
- N235JH
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2012
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.