What happened
On May 28, 2023, a Schempp-Hirth Ventus bT glider, registration OY-NMX, was conducting a local flight departing from Kalundborg (EKKL) under visual flight rules (VFR). While the aircraft was en route, the pilot attempted to start the glider's retractable retrieval engine while still in flight. During this procedure, the cockpit canopy opened, and due to the force of the wind, the canopy completely separated from the aircraft.
Following the separation, the pilot managed to land the aircraft at Kalundborg (EKKL) without further incident. There were no fatalities and no injuries to the pilot, though the aircraft sustained significant structural damage because the canopy is a primary structural component of the glider.
The investigation
The Danish Accident Investigation Board conducted an initial safety investigation into the event. The investigation focused on the sequence of events leading to the canopy separation and the state of the aircraft prior to departure. The investigation concluded without further formal inquiry, closing the case with the publication of this statement.