What happened
On July 1, 2015, a glider pilot initiated a tow flight from Gotartowice airport (EPRG) using a SZD-48-1 Jantar Std 2. The takeoff and initial climb proceeded normally. However, while at an altitude of approximately 300 meters, the aircraft encountered strong turbulence, which caused the instrument panel cover to dislodge from its mountings and shift toward the pilot. This movement temporarily obstructed the pilot's field of view as the cover became wedged between the pilot's torso and the instrument panel.
The pilot managed to reposition the panel cover after several seconds and subsequently released from the tow plane once within the airport vicinity. During the landing pattern, specifically on the fourth turn of a left-hand southern circuit, the pilot deployed the aerodynamic brakes at an altitude of approximately 100 meters. At the moment the brakes were deployed, the cockpit canopy lifted and detached from the aircraft, falling away without making contact with the glider. The pilot continued the approach and landed safely near the runway markings.
The investigation
The investigation, conducted by the user's commission, established that the canopy was recovered in a field approximately 500 meters from the edge of the airfield. The canopy sustained a crack in the plexiglass, though the frame and other components remained undamaged. The investigation focused on the sequence of events involving the instrument panel cover and the subsequent state of the canopy locks.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the accidental unlocking or shifting of a canopy lock while the pilot was attempting to secure the displaced instrument panel cover.
- This resulted in the canopy being insufficiently secured, leading to its detachment when aerodynamic forces were applied during the deployment of the air brakes.
- The pilot's attempt to fix the instrument panel cover distracted from verifying the secondary security of the canopy latches.