Accident Overview
On October 14, 2025, at approximately 1030 Pacific daylight time, an Extra Flugzeugbau GmbH 300L, registration N300EX, was substantially damaged in an accident near Arlington, Washington. The aircraft was operating as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The flight instructor and the private pilot receiving instruction were uninjured.
Pilot Statement
According to the instructor pilot, prior to departure he verified on three separate occasions that the canopy was closed and latched. Several seconds after initiating the takeoff roll, the canopy opened and then separated from the airplane. During the separation, the canopy struck and substantially damaged the rudder, right horizontal stabilizer, and right elevator trim tab. The instructor rejected the takeoff and exited the runway. He reported that the canopy separation was likely the result of a mechanical malfunction of the canopy latching mechanism, and that the left-side locking mechanism might not have engaged its retention receptacle.
Examination
A Federal Aviation Administration investigator conducted an initial postaccident examination of the airplane. The canopy pins and hinges appeared intact. The investigator observed chipped paint on the right-side canopy pins and slight scuffing on the inboard side of the aft locking receptacles.
Wreckage Retention
The airplane wreckage was retained for further examination.