What happened
On February 6, 2000, a Scheibe SF 28A Tandem Falke motoplaneur, registration F-CFJF, was performing a training flight at the Nancy Malzéville aerodrome. During the first circuit of the airfield, the pilot was on final approach with the engine at reduced power and the air brakes partially extended. At an altitude of approximately 50 meters, the canopy began to open slightly.
As the pilot released the air brakes, the crew attempted to hold the canopy closed. However, due to the force of the relative wind, the canopy opened completely. This sudden aerodynamic change caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft, which banked to the right and entered a steep dive. The instructor took control of the aircraft and attempted to pull back on the stick to recover the pitch. While the aircraft leveled out slightly, the left wing struck the tops of trees located about 150 meters from the runway threshold. The aircraft subsequently inverted and became suspended in the trees, approximately two meters above the ground.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical integrity of the canopy locking mechanism. A visual examination of the locking system revealed no mechanical failures or defects that would have caused the canopy to release spontaneously.