SAIB: CE-07-44 Experimental Aircraft

[Denny of Oakland]

FAA
Aircraft Certification Service
SPECIAL AIRWORTHINESS INFORMATION BULLETIN
SUBJ: Doors
SAIB: CE-07-44
Date: September 4, 2007
This is information only. Recommendations aren’t mandatory.

Introduction
This Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) alerts you of an airworthiness concern for amateur built experimental airplanes where a loss of directional control could occur during an emergency landing due to lack of a positive canopy latching device.

Background
During the investigation of a non-fatal accident (Identification No. NYC06CA021), the NTSB and the FAA's Flight Standards Division noted that the canopy latch mechanism had no positive or overcenter latch mechanism to prevent the canopy from coming open during flight. The canopy inadvertently came open in flight causing loss of control and contributed to the accident. The aircraft was substantially damaged and the pilot was seriously injured. While the design and construction of amateur built airplanes are not covered by any airworthiness standards, the FAA recommends inspection of all experimental amateur built aircraft for a positive canopy latching device.

Recommendation
We recommend that operators of amateur built experimental airplanes, including those airplanes built from kits, check the locking mechanism on the canopy latch for positive lock.

For Further Information Contact
Sarjapur Nagarajan, Aerospace Engineer, FAA Small Airplane Directorate, Room 301, 901 Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106; phone: (816) 329-4145; fax: (816) 329-4090; email: sarjapur.nagarajan@faa.gov