Owner-Pilot Suffered Burns But Survived

The owner of a Tango 2 kitplane in Ocala, FL said that the canopy of the airplane came open during takeoff, forcing her into an emergency landing.

Helen Helpling, 59, is the owner of the airplane. The Gainesville Sun reports that Helpling told her boyfriend Dennis Liebrecht that the canopy came open on takeoff from Ocala International Airport where she had flown to have a radio repaired. She had just refueled and was departing back to Shady Airport in Ocala when the incident occurred.

Helpling got herself out of the airplane after executing the emergency landing. Liebrecht was getting ready to leave the airport when someone from the avionics shop told him that Helpling's airplane had gone down. He went to the accident scene and found her about 50 yards from the airplane. He remained on the scene until medical personnel arrived. During that time she told him that the canopy came open during takeoff.

Witnesses, including two mechanics, told authorities that the aircraft had made an unusual "popping" sound while it was on the runway. One said it "sounded like it had a bad magneto."

The mechanics had watched the takeoff because of the unusual sound, and said they saw the canopy separate from the airplane. Helpling struggled to control the airplane, and it finally impacted the ground in a grassy area about 1,500 feet south of the runway.

The mechanics said the plane appeared to be developing full power through the entire accident sequence, and they did not think that an engine failure was a factor.

Helpling was flown to UF Shands Hospital in Gainesville, where she is said to be recovering.

FAA records indicate that the Tango 2 was amateur built and received an airworthiness certificate in February of 2013.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov