Dutch pilot Narine Melkumjan shared on X this video from a terrifying experience two years ago. She flew an Extra 330LX, which is a 2-seat acrobatic single engine plane. Shortly after takeoff, the cockpit canopy flew open. She was able to safely land even though she could barely see and breathe. It did, though, take over a day for her vision to fully recover.
Melkumjan blames herself. She says that she didn't visually confirm that the canopy was locked, did not wear eye protection, and flew despite recovering from a bout of COVID. She urges other pilots to "learn from my mistakes".
-via Massimo
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