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.
Investigator In Charge (IIC): Baker, Daniel
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Joseph Kluk; Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico
Location: Lanark, New Mexico
Accident Number: WPR22LA137
Date and Time: March 24, 2022, 18:45 Local
Registration: N823MM
Aircraft: CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT A S SPORTCRUISER
Injuries: 1 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On March 24, 2022, at 1845 mountain daylight time, a Czech Sport Aircraft Sportcruiser airplane, N823MM, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Lanark, New Mexico. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was as operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight.
According to the pilot, the purpose of the flight was to calibrate a new angle-of-attack (AOA) gauge that had been recently installed in the airplane. He had climbed to 6,500 ft mean sea level (msl) and performed a power off stall. As the nose of the airplane dropped the left canopy latch “let loose.” About 4-5 seconds later the right canopy latch “let go” and the whole windscreen “popped up like a speed brake.” The nose of the airplane remained pitched down and the airplane impacted terrain. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing and fuselage.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT A S
Registration: N823MM
Model/Series: SPORTCRUISER
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Minor
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Minor
Latitude, Longitude: 31.984112,-106.80973 (est)
March 24, 2022: Aircraft canopy popped open during flight causing aircraft to crash.
Date: 25-MAR-22
Time: 00:43:00Z
Regis#: N823MM
Aircraft Make: SPORTCRUISER
Aircraft Model: SPORTCRUISER
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: MANEUVERING (MNV)
Operation: 91
City: EL PASO
State: TEXAS
