Discus CS canopy separates in flight from a crack stop-drilled two years earlier
The pilot of a Discus CS was not injured, and the glider substantially damaged, when the canopy separated without warning at about 1,130 m MSL near Woodstock, twenty minutes into a cross-country from Front Royal. The pilot confirmed he had not released the latch or the jettison handle, and landed at the airfield he was heading for. A maintenance facility had stop-drilled a crack at the canopy's rear hinge two years earlier. Examination found the hole had halted the original crack, but two fresh cracks had grown from its internal corners, which acted as stress risers.
- Cross-country from Front Royal: The pilot was about twenty minutes into a flight from Front Royal to Woodstock, at roughly 1,130 m MSL.
- Crack stop-drilled two years before: A maintenance facility had stop-drilled a crack at the canopy's rear hinge along the frame about two years before the flight.
- Canopy separates without warning: The canopy suddenly came away from the glider. The pilot checked and confirmed he had not released the latch or the jettison handle.
- Flies on to the intended field: The pilot continued and landed uneventfully at the airfield he had been heading for.
- Lands safely, glider damaged: The pilot was not injured and the glider was substantially damaged. The separated sections were recovered for examination.