I too would like to know what caused the Legacy
pilot to loose control. I assume he has a front hinged canopy as I do on my
360.
In the early days when I was flying my 360 I took
off once without latching the canopy correctly and yes it came open. The
noise level was disconcerting but the effect on the airworthiness of the
plane was negligible. Flew the pattern and
latched it correctly. My pride was hurt but a lesson was
learned!
Before I flew the plane, I was transporting it on a
trailer to the paint shop, following the trailer in my car when the canopy
popped open at about 70mph. It opened about 3" or so and that varied with
the vehicle speed.
I cannot see a situation arising where the canopy
would open wide enough when airborne to cause aerodynamic problems or am I
living in a fool's paradise.
I used to fly a Piper PA28 which was a regular door
popper. Almost impossible to latch in flight unless you had a buddy in the
RH seat to assist. Not always possible then. However no real
aerodynamic effect.
Ian B. Crowe LNC 2
C-FKRO
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