What happened
On 1 September 2007, a Rutan Long-Ez, registration G-BNCZ, was performing a private flight from Turweston Aerodrome in Buckinghamshire. During the takeoff roll, as the aircraft reached rotation speed, the side-hinged canopy became unlatched and opened fully. This-unsecured canopy created aerodynamic lift, causing the cockpit cover to lift away from the fuselage.
Fearing that the canopy might detach completely and strike the rear-mounted pusher propeller, the pilot elected to abort the takeoff. The pilot utilized the remaining runway length to perform a firm landing. During this landing, the main landing gear detached from the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently veered to the right and came to a halt on the grass area.
The investigation
The investigation examined the cockpit environment and the pilot's procedures. The pilot noted that the cockpit can reach high temperatures during summer months if the aircraft is taxied with the canopy closed. To mitigate this heat, the pilot frequently delays closing the canopy until just before the takeoff roll.
It was established that this practice contributed to the pilot's failure to verify that the canopy was securely latched prior to commencing the takeoff run. The physical damage to the aircraft included a damaged propeller, scraping on the right wing tip, the engine cowling, and the lower fuselage, alongside the loss of the main landing gear.