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The pilot of a diamond star DA40 reported the rear canopy door came completely off during approach.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1374830 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201607 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | DA40 Diamond Star |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Cruise |
| Route In Use | Visual Approach |
| Flight Plan | VFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Door |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 14 Flight Crew Total 291 Flight Crew Type 135 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown |
Narrative:
I was in route on my 2nd leg of a 4 leg round robin trip in southern california. On my 2nd leg; I had just obtained ATIS and contacted tower before entering class D. I was approximately 11 SM due east from [the airport] at 2;600 MSL descending on a straight line. I had just informed tower that I had information alpha from ATIS and I was inbound when I felt a small quick vibration and what felt like a depressurization and loud pop and blowout with tremendous wind turbulence inside the cockpit. I immediately look over my shoulder and noticed the rear canopy door was either open and/or missing; but I wasn't sure yet because of the initial shock. I immediately informed tower of my status and they began to clear the pattern for my arrival. The tower asked if I need assistance or want [priority handling]. I once again looked over my left shoulder (several more times to confirm) and noticed the canopy door was completely gone and I informed them that I still had control of the aircraft; but would slow down to eliminate the tremendous internal vibration and wind turbulence and wouldn't be [needing priority handling] at this time. I continued on my approach; slowing down to about 80-85 KTS from 120-125 KTS; cautiously and landed safely without further incident. The aircraft is a rental that I've flown personally several times over the course of [many] years.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: The Pilot of a Diamond Star DA40 Reported the rear canopy door came completely off during approach.
Narrative: I was in route on my 2nd leg of a 4 leg round robin trip in southern California. On my 2nd leg; I had just obtained ATIS and contacted Tower before entering class D. I was approximately 11 SM due east from [the airport] at 2;600 MSL descending on a straight line. I had just informed Tower that I had information ALPHA from ATIS and I was inbound when I felt a small quick vibration and what felt like a depressurization and loud pop and blowout with tremendous wind turbulence inside the cockpit. I immediately look over my shoulder and noticed the rear canopy door was either open and/or missing; but I wasn't sure yet because of the initial shock. I immediately informed Tower of my status and they began to clear the pattern for my arrival. The Tower asked if I need assistance or want [priority handling]. I once again looked over my left shoulder (several more times to confirm) and noticed the canopy door was completely gone and I informed them that I still had control of the aircraft; but would slow down to eliminate the tremendous internal vibration and wind turbulence and wouldn't be [needing priority handling] at this time. I continued on my approach; slowing down to about 80-85 KTS from 120-125 KTS; cautiously and landed safely without further incident. The aircraft is a rental that I've flown personally several times over the course of [many] years.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.