Amateur-built LANCAIR LE accident near Longmont, Colorado, January 31, 2009
On January 31, 2009, a amateur-built LANCAIR LE, registered N939CB, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Longmont, Colorado (Vance Brand Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft pitch control resulting in the airplane impacting the terrain. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's failure to ensure the canopy was fully locked prior to takeoff and the canopy oscillations in flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 31, 2009
- Place
- Longmont, Colorado · Vance Brand Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LANCAIR LE
- Registration
- N939CB · registry record · serial L2K-259
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot took off with the canopy not fully locked. During the takeoff, the canopy opened. Not certain that he could stop on the remaining runway, the pilot continued the takeoff and climbed to a safe altitude. While attempting to return to the airport and simultaneously fighting the canopy oscillation, the pilot lost control of the airplane on approach and impacted the terrain. The kit manufacturer stated that the airplane is flyable with the canopy open.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Miscellaneous/other during takeoff
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- factor Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Doors › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,500 hours in all; 55 in this make and model; 35 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 2,200 as pilot in command; 650 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 26, 2008
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 80 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 16, 2008
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-AC1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Fahren Corporation
The flight
- Departed from: KLMO Longmont CO
- Destination: KBJC CO
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 29, 4,800 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 50°F (10°C), dew point 10°F (-12°C)
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observation at 5:00 pm from KLMO
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.