Puchacz Canopy

We recently had a canopy come open on our Puchacz mid-flight while performing a left-wing-low sideslip. The pilot was able to close the canopy and land safely but the crossmember of the canopy bent and detached from one side.

I have read a number of similar incidents here in Canada. I am looking to see if this is a common occurrence around the world and if anyone has a good fix for it.

I understand that the latch needs to be properly adjusted but ours was checked in its annual this year.

Thanks
Chris

I put one back together and flew it some, frankly there isn't a whole lot of structure in the cockpit area. It wouldn't surprise me to find the fuselage side gave (moved inward) enough to allow the canopy latch to open. Fix? Make slips only to the right.
Hope this helps,
JJ

Hi Chris,

Our club has lost about 5 Puch canopies over the last 20 years, typically in side slip and spin recovery.

First action, there is a standard for the force of pull required to open the canopy lever. It should be in the Puch maintenance manual and IIRC, it is around 12 kg. We bought a fish scale and use that to test the required opening pull .

Second action, when doing slips and spins I, as the instructor, ALWAYS hold the lever closed.

Third action, there is a mod that was approved by the BGA to add a spring to the rear canopy latch handle to help it stay closed.

If you have not already, contact Jerzy at Windpath.ca. He should have details of the pull force and spring mod.