Yeager Inc. Lancair accident near Mcminnville, Tennessee, September 2, 2010
On September 2, 2010 at about 7:00 pm local time, a Yeager Inc. Lancair, an amateur-built aircraft,, registered N320CY, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Mcminnville, Tennessee (Warren County Memorial 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 properly latch the cockpit canopy prior to takeoff, resulting in his diverted attention and failure to maintain aircraft control.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 2, 2010 · about 7:00 pm local time
- Place
- Mcminnville, Tennessee · Warren County Memorial Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Yeager Inc. Lancair 320, amateur-built
- Registration
- N320CY · registry record · serial 384-320-139
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that he taxied to the runway for the purpose of performing a high speed taxi run. After an engine run-up, he latched the two canopy latches on the right side and scanned the instrument panel, noticing that the cylinder head temperature and oil temperature were rising. He stated that his attention was diverted in concern of the rising temperature and did not recall if he latched the two latches on the left side of the canopy. He started the takeoff roll and after becoming airborne, he noticed the canopy opening on the left side. The pilot attempted to latch the canopy, but realized it would take both hands, and continued to climb to pattern altitude while trimming the aircraft for better airspeed control. He then pulled the throttle back to slow the airspeed and attempted to latch the canopy. The canopy started flapping up and down, and when he tried to secure it shut with his hands he was not be able to control the airplane. He stated that debris was flying everywhere and the wind blew off his headset. When he realized that he was getting low he added full engine power and looked for a clear area; shortly thereafter the airplane collided with the ground.
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 initial climb defining event
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Forgotten action/omission › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Windows › windshield system › Flight compartment windows › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,226 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 1,205 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 16, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, September 2, 2010; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,685 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O320-B3B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: RNC Mcminnville TN at 5:45 pm
- Destination: RNC Mcminnville TN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 91°F (33°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 6:56 pm from MQY, 37 miles away
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.