Narrative:

I was in training for an add on glider rating. In the morning I completed my first solo glider flight and another 3 solo pattern flights successfully. After the first flight I remained seated in the airplane in the front seat and belted; as instructed by the CFI. I did not get out of the glider until after the incident. The plane would be towed by golf cart back to the end of the runway; connected to the tow plane; and a pattern flown. In between some of these patterns; the rear canopy was opened by the CFI and then closed again. I don't specifically remember if the CFI opened the rear canopy after the 4th flight; but the glider was on the ground for about 15 or 20 minutes. Before each flight I would check that the canopy was closed by pushing on the frame for the front and rear canopy; above my head; and check for movement. This is in the pre takeoff checklist for the glider. On the 5th flight; after the 200 foot callout for nose down; turn downwind; and land; the canopy came open with a loud bang. Seated in the front seat there was no way to reach the canopy frame and no way to close it. I opted to continue the tow to pattern altitude. Due to the drag from the canopy I had to abort my plan to fly a normal pattern; head straight for the nearest point on the field; and execute a 45 degree entry to a downwind landing with a final turn about 30 feet AGL. I estimate I cleared the trees by only about 20-40 feet. The damage to the airplane was limited to the canopy frame due to coming open in flight. There were no injuries. I believe when the CFI closed the rear canopy; he intended to latch it; but it's possible he failed to do so or failed to move the handle closed all the way. From the front seat; I cannot see or reach the latch without getting out of the glider. It is possible that the canopy latch was fully or partly open; and came open due to turbulence in flight. It is possible; but seems unlikely to me; that the canopy latching mechanism had failed. After flight it appeared undamaged. In the future I will insist that I myself close and latch the rear canopy if flying solo in this glider. If someone opens the rear canopy while I am in the glider; I will have to get out to positively check that it is closed and latched. I believe the procedure of pushing on the rear canopy frame is insufficient without verifying visually the state of the latch.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A pilot receiving glider instruction reported the canopy came open during flight in the airport traffic pattern.

Narrative: I was in training for an add on glider rating. In the morning I completed my first solo glider flight and another 3 solo pattern flights successfully. After the first flight I remained seated in the airplane in the front seat and belted; as instructed by the CFI. I did not get out of the glider until after the incident. The plane would be towed by golf cart back to the end of the runway; connected to the tow plane; and a pattern flown. In between some of these patterns; the rear canopy was opened by the CFI and then closed again. I don't specifically remember if the CFI opened the rear canopy after the 4th flight; but the glider was on the ground for about 15 or 20 minutes. Before each flight I would check that the canopy was closed by pushing on the frame for the front and rear canopy; above my head; and check for movement. This is in the pre takeoff checklist for the glider. On the 5th flight; after the 200 foot callout for nose down; turn downwind; and land; the canopy came open with a loud bang. Seated in the front seat there was no way to reach the canopy frame and no way to close it. I opted to continue the tow to pattern altitude. Due to the drag from the canopy I had to abort my plan to fly a normal pattern; head straight for the nearest point on the field; and execute a 45 degree entry to a downwind landing with a final turn about 30 feet AGL. I estimate I cleared the trees by only about 20-40 feet. The damage to the airplane was limited to the canopy frame due to coming open in flight. There were no injuries. I believe when the CFI closed the rear canopy; he intended to latch it; but it's possible he failed to do so or failed to move the handle closed all the way. From the front seat; I cannot see or reach the latch without getting out of the glider. It is possible that the canopy latch was fully or partly open; and came open due to turbulence in flight. It is possible; but seems unlikely to me; that the canopy latching mechanism had failed. After flight it appeared undamaged. In the future I will insist that I myself close and latch the rear canopy if flying solo in this glider. If someone opens the rear canopy while I am in the glider; I will have to get out to positively check that it is closed and latched. I believe the procedure of pushing on the rear canopy frame is insufficient without verifying visually the state of the latch.

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.