Amateur-built LONG EZ accident near Wakefield, Virginia, April 13, 2018
On April 13, 2018 at about 5:55 pm local time, a 1987 amateur-built LONG EZ, registered N27RP, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern final) near Wakefield, Virginia (Wakefield Muni). 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 secure the canopy before flight, which resulted in the airplane striking a fence during the approach. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to follow the Before Takeoff checklist and In-flight Canopy Opening checklist emergency procedure.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 13, 2018 · about 5:55 pm local time
- Place
- Wakefield, Virginia · Wakefield Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built LONG EZ NO SERIES, built 1987
- Registration
- N27RP · no longer on the register · serial 1400
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot in the experimental, amateur-built airplane, during takeoff climb about 200 ft above ground level (agl), the airplane's canopy fully opened. The pilot immediately turned downwind and eventually turned final about 200 ft agl. He reported that his vision was impaired by the wind and that he misjudged the airplane's position to the runway. The airplane struck a 10-ft-tall fence that was about 70 ft from the approach end of the runway. The pilot was able to land on the runway, and the airplane skidded to a stop. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and the right wing. The first item in the Before Takeoff checklist stated: Emergency Canopy access door – closed/locked. The last item in the Before Takeoff checklist stated: Canopy – Locked – visually confirm proper latch and safety engagement According to the In-flight Canopy Opening checklist emergency procedure, Should the canopy come fully open 90° in flight immediately grab the canopy/rail handle and pull the canopy down. Be sure to maintain aircraft control. The aircraft is controllable and can be landed safely with the canopy being held down against the fingers. Remember to maintain aircraft control. Do not be so concerned with closing the canopy that you allow the aircraft to fly unnecessarily into the ground. The pilot noted that the accident could have been prevented by not deviating from the Before Takeoff checklist. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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 prior to flight
- Miscellaneous/other during approach (VFR pattern final)
- Loss of visual reference during approach (VFR pattern final) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during approach (VFR pattern final)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Lack of action › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Not attained/maintained
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Fence/fence post › Effect on operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Doors › (general) › Incorrect use/operation
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of checklist › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,292 hours in all; 329 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 2,292 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: June 10, 2016
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 929.3 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, March 10, 2018
- Maximum gross weight: 1,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-235-L2A (piston); 929 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: AKQ Wakefield VA at 5:50 pm
- Destination: AKQ Wakefield VA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20, 4,337 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 50°F (10°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 5:54 pm from KAKQ
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on August 28, 2018. 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 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Checklist | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | 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.