Czech Sportcruiser, N823MM: Accident occurred March 24, 2022; and incidents occurred May 31, 2020 and June 06, 2019

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 

https://registry.faa.gov/N823MM

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:

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Lowest Cloud Condition: 

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Lowest Ceiling: 

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Type of Flight Plan Filed:

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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

Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Albuquerque, New Mexico

May 31, 2020:  Aircraft experienced loss of engine power and struck a light of takeoff at El Paso International Airport (KELP), Texas.

Date: 01-JUN-20
Time: 00:02:00Z
Regis#: N823MM
Aircraft Make: CZECH SPORT
Aircraft Model: SPORTCRUISER
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: NONE
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
City: EL PASO
State: TEXAS

June 07, 2019:   After landing, aircraft veered off left side of runway at El Paso International Airport (KELP), Texas.

Date: 07-JUN-19
Time: 02:40:00Z
Regis#: N823MM
Aircraft Make: CZECH SPORT AIRCRAFT
Aircraft Model: SPORTCRUISER
Event Type: INCIDENT
Highest Injury: NONE
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: UNKNOWN
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: LANDING (LDG)
Operation: 91
City: EL PASO
State: TEXAS