Accident Details
On May 29, 2013, at about 2000 eastern standard time, an Evektor-Aerotechnik AS Sportstar Plus light-sport airplane (registration N319SV) sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff at Lorain County Regional Airport (KLPR), Lorain, Ohio. The sport pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and the flight operated without a flight plan. The local area flight had originated approximately 1900.
Sequence of Events
According to the pilot, during the initial takeoff climb after performing a touch-and-go landing on runway 25, the airplane's canopy opened to the forward position. The pilot landed the aircraft on the remaining runway; however, the airplane departed the end of the runway, struck a landing threshold light, and came to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage, engine firewall, and left wing spar.
Postaccident Examination
Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the canopy latch spring (part number E1 93-06 21) had failed. Additionally, the spring mounting plate used to hold the spring in position did not have a relief area machined into the plate that was required for the correct operation of the spring.
Maintenance History
A review of the maintenance records showed that on October 11, 2011, at a total airframe time of 1,352.6 hours, a new canopy latch spring, canopy lock assembly, lock handle, and ring were installed. The most recent condition inspection was completed on February 15, 2013, at a total airframe time of 1,363.5 hours. At the time of the accident, the airframe had accumulated 1,384 total hours.