What happened
On September 11, 2016, an EXTRA 300 SC was involved in an incident during ground operations at Mielec Airport (EPML). While the aircraft was taxiing toward the runway, the cockpit canopy opened unexpectedly. The movement was caused by the airflow generated by the propeller. As the canopy opened, it sustained structural damage.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the canopy failure and the condition of the aircraft prior to the incident. The inquiry established that the pilot failed to verify that the cockpit canopy was properly secured and locked before commencing taxi maneuvers.