Danny, 

Not sure where your problem is but one observation -- the overcenter spring isn't the only thing holding the latch handle closed.  If it has rotated over center, then the up force on the latches is also holding the handle down.

Just making a guess, I wonder if the canopy is seating better and there's less up force on it than previously?  That might "relax" the overcenter closure...  Do you have an air-inflated canopy seal, and the pressure has dropped?  Just thoughts...

Charley Brown

Legacy #299

I have the Legacy type latch in my LNC2.  On two occasions I have failed to latch the canopy prior to takeoff: the first time I had enough runway to abort the takeoff; the second time I did not.  As taught to me early in my flight training, first and foremost, if something goes wrong, fly the plane!  That’s what I’ve done and I’m here to talk about it.  On the second occasion I just flew the plane and returned to base.  I no longer fail to latch the canopy but my situation now is different.  I’m now experiencing the latch failing to hold in flight.  On several recent occasions my latch as unexpectedly released the canopy hold down position in flight.  I adjusted the mechanism to make sure it’s capturing the canopy correctly but it still pops open and I can’t see why.  Is the over-center spring getting weak or is there something else going on?  Have any of you experienced this?  I now need a secondary latch to keep the primary latch from releasing the hold.  Right now I’m pretty much grounded until I find a solution that goes beyond bubble gum and bailing wire or duct tape.  From what I’ve read here I know there are some folks working on this with Lancair but so far there’s nothing solid on it that I’ve seen.  Any suggestions, comments, or helpful hints would be appreciated.

Danny
LNC2-360 Mk-II
AOPA 04856278
EAA 647062
NRA 156453324
Nothing is foolproof to the sufficiently talented fool.