What happened
On Wednesday, June 27, 2001, a Jodel D 140 Mousquetaette, registered F-BIZZ, was performing a private flight departing from the Megève Altiport. Shortly after takeoff, the left side of the canopy opened unexpectedly. Witnesses observed the canopy failure during the initial climb.
Following the incident, the pilot notified air traffic services of an intention to return to the airfield due to a malfunction. During the return, the aircraft drifted left of the runway centerline and executed a tight right-hand turn at a low altitude. As the aircraft approached the runway threshold on a left-hand final, it entered a very steep left turn and began to descend rapidly. The left wingtip struck the ground near the edge of the runway threshold, causing the aircraft to capsize and catch fire.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the pilot's actions following the canopy opening. Examination of the wreckage revealed that although the canopy control was in the closed position, the left side of the canopy was not properly locked.
Findings
Investigators determined that the accident resulted from an incomplete pre-takeoff check and the pilot's subsequent loss of control. The investigation established that the pilot's attention became overly focused on the open canopy, which contributed to the loss of situational awareness and the subsequent flight path deviations that led to the impact. The accident resulted in four fatalities, including the pilot and three passengers.