Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER accident near Las Vegas, Nevada, October 16, 2011
On October 16, 2011 at about 8:10 pm local time, a Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER, registered N999VS, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Las Vegas, Nevada (Henderson Executive 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 inadvertent opening of the airplane’s canopy during takeoff, which distracted the pilot and resulted in his failure to maintain control of the airplane. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to comply with the manufacturer's recommended procedures for the canopy opening during takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 16, 2011 · about 8:10 pm local time
- Place
- Las Vegas, Nevada · Henderson Executive Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Czech Aircraft Works Spol Sro SPORTCRUISER · all SPORTCRUISERs on the register
- Registration
- N999VS · registry record · serial 08SC242
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, during the crosswind turn, the canopy opened. He continued to fly the airplane while trying to hold the canopy down with his left hand. The airplane porpoised, lost altitude, and the pilot was unable to achieve a stable attitude. He stayed in the traffic pattern, and, on final approach, he pulled the power off and stalled the airplane 4 to 5 feet above the runway, which resulted in a hard landing and substantial damage. The Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) stated that, if the canopy should open during takeoff, the pilot should not try to close the canopy and should continue the takeoff, climb to a safe altitude, and attain an airspeed of 65 knots. The POH then states that the pilot should continue to fly the traffic pattern, land, and, after stopping, close and lock the canopy. The pilot said the accident could have been prevented if he had kept the power on until touchdown.
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
- Cabin safety event during initial climb
- Abnormal runway contact during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft structures › Windows › windshield system › Flight compartment windows › Malfunction
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Airspeed › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of manual › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 3,856 hours in all; 110 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 12, 2011
- Medical certificate: Sport Pilot (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 64 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 9, 2011
- Maximum gross weight: 1,320 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912ULS (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KHND Las Vegas NV at 7:00 pm
- Destination: KHND Las Vegas NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 35L, 6,500 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 30.02 inHg
- Observation at 6:56 pm from KHND
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.