Confirms Witness Reports Canopy Was Ajar On Climbout

Below is the National Transportation Safety Board's preliminary report on the April 13 downing of a Lancair Legacy in Lakeland, FL. As ANN reported, the plane crashed shortly after takeoff, as it was departing Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport (LAL) on the last day of the annual Sun 'N Fun Fly-In.

Coinciding with initial reports, the NTSB notes several witnesses saw the two-seat aircraft's forward-hinged canopy cracked open on takeoff. One witness told investigators said the plane's pilot, Gerard Schkolnik, appeared to be manipulating the canopy on climbout, just before the crash.

Whether the distraction of the open canopy was directly causal to the accident, or if other factors were involved in the fatal crash, remains to be officially determined -- Ed.

NTSB Identification: MIA08LA089
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Sunday, April 13, 2008 in Lakeland, FL
Aircraft: Dayon Thomas Lancair Legacy, registration: N1177M
Injuries: 1 Fatal.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On April 13, 2008, about 1120 eastern daylight time, a Thomas Dayon amateur built Lancair, N1177M, registered to G-KAS Aviation LLC, and operated by a private pilot, collided with the ground shortly after takeoff from runway 27L at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The private pilot received fatal injuries. The airplane was substantially damaged by impact and the subsequent post crash fire. The flight was departing at the time of the accident.

According to witnesses, the pilot was observed having difficulty closing the canopy on the airplane prior to takeoff. During the takeoff climb a witness said he saw the cockpit canopy moving and believed the pilot was pushing it up and down about 6 to 12 inches. Another witness stated that shortly after takeoff the engine lost power, the airplane continued straight and level and there was no attempt by the pilot to return to the runway. The airplane then nosed down about 40 degrees and the left wing dropped. About 3 to 5 seconds later a plume of smoke was seen coming from behind a tree line.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov