Amateur-built ZODIAC 601 XL accident near Cumberland, Maryland, June 8, 2021
On June 8, 2021 at about 8:00 pm local time, a 2012 amateur-built ZODIAC 601 XL, registered N315SV, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern base) near Cumberland, Maryland (Mexico Farms Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An inadvertent release of the canopy, which allowing the canopy to open during flight and led to an inflight loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of any safeguard to prevent the inadvertent opening of the canopy.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 8, 2021 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Cumberland, Maryland · Mexico Farms Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built ZODIAC 601 XL, built 2012
- Registration
- N315SV · no longer on the register · serial 6-7188
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Shortly after departure, the noncertificated pilot and builder of the experimental amateur-built airplane was flying at 1,000 ft mean sea level on the base leg of the airport traffic pattern when the right side of the cockpit canopy suddenly came loose and popped open. This was immediately followed by the left side of the canopy opening and then the entire canopy opened. The pilot stated this open canopy acted like a “giant air brake” and the airplane entered a descent that he was unable to arrest. The airplane descended into trees bordering the airport property, which resulted in substantial damage to the airframe. Postaccident examination of the right side canopy frame and latching mechanism found that although the latch did not show any irregularities or anomalous preimpact damage, the mechanism could easily be opened with slight finger pressure and no safeguard was present to keep the latch from opening prematurely. In addition, the several layers of foam weatherstripping installed along the frame of the canopy may have made it difficult for the latch to become properly seated during closure. Based on this information, it is likely that the latching mechanism was not completely secured prior to the flight or that the pilot inadvertently released the mechanism, with resulted in the canopy opening fully while in the airport traffic pattern, and the subsequent inability to sustain further flight.
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 approach (VFR pattern base) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern base)
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Doors › Passenger/crew doors › Malfunction
- Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Doors › Passenger/crew doors › Design
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
Pilot
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 321 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, December 2, 2020; 321 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912S (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 09/2, 2,120 ft by 190 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 30.08 inHg
- Observation at 3:55 pm from CBE, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KCBE 081955Z AUTO 24004KT 10SM BKN060 30/22 A3008 RMK AO2 T02970217
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
8 documents, released by the NTSB on March 16, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Record of Conversation_pilot/owner | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memo for Record_pilot/owner 6120 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Memo for Record_pilot's E-mail | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records Excerpt | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Canopy Latch Mechanism | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Canopy and Latch_exploded View | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 7 | Photo Array_airplane Damage and Component | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 8 | Wreckage and Evidence Forms | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.