A pilot reported his aircraft's canopy came open in flight and allowed cabin items to depart the air...

Attributes
ACN	934759
Time
Date	201102
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.TRACON
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Small Aircraft Low Wing 1 Eng Fixed Gear
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Exterior Pax/Crew Door
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 20 Flight Crew Total 4800 Flight Crew Type 120
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

Narrative:

Loaded back seat with tools 4 times; opening and closing rear canopy latches (both). On last such closing blanket covered left latch -- it missed. At level off; left edge of canopy raised up when I reached about 140 KTS; then suddenly large rushing sound. Because of concern for pusher prop (prior incidents damaged prop -- others told me). Declared emergency and eased back to the departure airport without further problems. The right latch disabled the canopy warning -- that is where it is located; under the right catch; which stayed fastened along with the canopy hinge throughout. Part made of carbon and plexiglass -- is quite light. About 30-40% of bulk left aircraft I have no photos -- interesting fracture.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A pilot reported his aircraft's canopy came open in flight and allowed cabin items to depart the aircraft endangering the aft propeller. He declared an emergency and returned to the departure airport.

Narrative: Loaded back seat with tools 4 times; opening and closing rear canopy latches (both). On last such closing blanket covered left latch -- it missed. At level off; left edge of canopy raised up when I reached about 140 KTS; then suddenly large rushing sound. Because of concern for pusher prop (prior incidents damaged prop -- others told me). Declared emergency and eased back to the departure airport without further problems. The right latch disabled the canopy warning -- that is where it is located; under the right catch; which stayed fastened along with the canopy hinge throughout. Part made of carbon and plexiglass -- is quite light. About 30-40% of bulk left aircraft I have no photos -- interesting fracture.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.