Accident Overview
On 23 June 2012 at 1050 UTC, an Aero AT-3 R100 aircraft, registered G-SRUM, was involved in an accident near Old Sarum Airfield in Wiltshire. The aircraft, manufactured in 2008 with serial number AT3-044, was powered by a single Rotax 912-S2 piston engine. The flight was conducted under a Private Pilot's Licence by a 63-year-old pilot with 235 hours of flying experience, of which 52 hours were on this type.
Flight History
The flight departed from Old Sarum for a local sortie. While flying at an altitude of 2,800 feet near Langford Lakes, approximately 12 km north-west of Old Sarum, the pilot noticed the right side of the cockpit canopy had become unlatched. He reached for the locking lever and applied downward pressure, which seemed to secure it, though he noted the action felt "soggy" and lacked the distinct click he normally expected.
A few minutes later, the right lever moved again toward the open position, and the left lever had also moved out of the locked position. The pilot grasped both levers and moved them back as far as possible. When the right lever moved again, he decided to cut short the flight and return to Old Sarum. He recalled a similar event about six weeks earlier when flying with the club's Chief Flying Instructor.
During descent at approximately 1,800 feet, the canopy suddenly began to open again, and the pilot could not pull it shut. Being about a mile from his destination, he radioed a mayday call to Old Sarum, stating he had "lost the cockpit," though the canopy remained attached. Wind noise made communication difficult. He requested immediate landing clearance and heard an initial acknowledgement but could not hear the rest of the reply.
The aircraft was rapidly losing height, and turning toward the runway increased the rate of descent. At about 300 feet, the pilot selected a field straight ahead for a forced landing. He just reached the field but saw it contained a tall crop of rape. The wheels brushed the crop top, and the aircraft 'dug in' and began to flip over.
Aftermath
The pilot believes he lost consciousness for a few moments and next remembered hanging upside down in his harness. He turned off the fuel and electrics before kicking his way out through the canopy. There was no fire. The aircraft sustained damage to the landing gear, fuselage, wings, and canopy. The pilot reported minor injuries.
The investigation noted similarities to a previous accident involving a Zenair CH601 HDS (G-CEZV), where canopy latches became unlocked in-flight. Following this accident, articles were planned by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Light Aircraft Association to highlight the consequences of unlocked canopies.