What happened
On 31 July 2009, an Aerotechnik EV-97 Eurostar, registration G-SDFM, was performing a private flight at 3,000 ft north of Mansfield. While the aircraft was maintaining level flight, the cockpit canopy suddenly shattered. This structural failure caused various items within the cockpit, including the pilot's rucksack, to be displaced and fall out of the aircraft.
The pilot sustained head lacerations during the event, which resulted in significant bleeding and impaired vision in the right eye. Despite these physical injuries and the compromised cockpit environment, the pilot successfully identified a suitable field and executed a forced landing near Broomhill Grange, Edwinstowe. The aircraft sustained damage to the right wing upper surface and the leading edge of the tailplane, alongside the shattered canopy.
The investigation
The investigation was initiated following an aircraft accident report submitted by the pilot. Investigators examined the circumstances surrounding the sudden loss of canopy integrity and the subsequent flight path. The assessment focused on the physical damage to the airframe and the cockpit environment at the time of the incident.
Findings
- The investigation concluded that the primary cause of the canopy shattering was a bird strike.
- The pilot sustained one minor injury during the incident.
- The sudden impact led to the loss of cockpit contents through the broken canopy.