What happened
On September 21, 2024, a pilot operating an Extra E300L, registration SP-IZA, was conducting flight operations near the Pobiednik aerodrome (EPKP) near Krakow. Following a pre-flight inspection and a refueling stop at a local fuel station, the pilot proceeded to a holding point on the runway at approximately 11:20 LMT.
During the engine run-up procedure, the pilot increased the engine RPM to maximum power. At this moment, the cockpit canopy suddenly opened and detached from the aircraft. The impact of the detachment caused damage to the canopy structure. There were no injuries resulting from the incident.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the canopy failure. The commission reviewed the pilot's actions during the pre-flight phase and the specific mechanics of the engine run-up. The investigation established that the pilot had failed to verify that the canopy locks were properly engaged and secured prior to performing the high-power engine test.