Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

The pilot reported that, it was standard procedure upon landing to open the canopy slightly to aid in slowing the airplane and egress in a runway excursion event. Upon landing, the pilot activated the canopy motor to open the canopy about 2 inches, but the canopy continued to open, separated from the airframe and struck the tail.

The airplane sustained substantial damage to the empennage.

The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot added that emergency canopy release, which anchors the canopy to the airframe when the canopy motor was turned on, was inadvertently released during the flight. The pilot's failure to verify that the emergency canopy release was in the correct position when opening the canopy during landing, which resulted in the canopy separating from the airplane and subsequently impacting the empennage.