What happened
On 4 September 2016, an Aero AT-3 R100, registration G-SACY, was performing a private flight near Sherburn-in-Elmet Airfield in Yorkshire. During a circuit detail shortly after takeoff, the pilot observed that the right side of the front-hinged canopy had begun to unlatch.
While attempting to fly the circuit and reseat the canopy, the pilot reached an altitude of 1,000 ft, at which point the canopy lifted an additional 10 to 12 inches. This failure caused a significant increase in wind and noise inside the cabin and led to a loss of altitude. Fearing further opening and subsequent handling issues, the pilot held the canopy in place and executed an immediate landing in a nearby bare-earth field. During the subsequent landing roll, the aircraft overturned. The pilot sustained minor injuries, but the aircraft was damaged beyond economic repair.
The investigation
The investigation examined the sequence of events following the canopy's failure and noted that the pilot's experience on this specific type was limited to 5 hours. Investigators also reviewed historical data regarding similar incidents involving the same aircraft model. It was noted that a previous accident involving an Aero AT-3 R100, registration G-SRUM, had occurred in June 2012 under similar circumstances involving the locking mechanism.