Background
On 16 August 2019 at 20:16 local time, a training flight was conducted at Bydgoszcz Airport (EPBY) using a SZD-9 bis 1E Bocian glider. The crew consisted of a student pilot and an instructor. The flight was part of Exercise SPL IV/3, which involved performing S-turns and a landing with a tailwind.
Incident Details
During the approach to landing with a tailwind, at an altitude of approximately 20 meters before touchdown, the front cockpit canopy opened. The canopy was then torn away by the airstream and fell onto the grassy area of the airport. The glider landed without further incident. No injuries occurred during the event.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the probable cause of the incident was the incorrect closing of the front cockpit canopy by the student pilot.
Aftermath
The operator implemented a preventive measure: a person was assigned to assist the student pilot during boarding and canopy closing, responsible for verifying the correctness of the locks. The same person also ensured proper seating, seatbelt fastening, and radio activation. No safety recommendations were issued by the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL).