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Old 28th Jul 2019, 13:33
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Centaurus
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Australia
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A big problem extracting oneself from a low wing aircraft.
The RAAF realised that decades ago. That is why two canopy breaker tools (one for each pilot) were installed on the CT4, PC9, and Sabres. . Even the Spitfire had such an escape tool in the form of a small crowbar clipped to the pilots hatch type door. The idea never took legs in civilian light aircraft despite the obvious OH&S value. The old saying "It will never happen to me" was probably the reason.

Most LSA low wingers have large canopies that once locked for takeoff can easily warp or totally jam in extreme hard landings or turn-overs. A RAAF Sabre forced landed into a rice paddy in Malaya after a bird strike and engine failure seconds after lift off. The pilot who was unhurt, could only push back the canopy a few inches when it jammed. A fire started under the aircraft but the pilot used the escape tool to hack his way out of the canopy.

For what it's worth it was this writer that introduced the idea of a canopy breaker tool into the RAAF in 1961 after studying overseas military accident reports. The USAF had them for years earlier after several fatalities following high speed rejected takeoffs in F80 Shooting Star fighters. In each case the aircraft caught fire after over-running into terrain. Ejection seats were not low level type. The electrically operated canopies jammed and the pilots could not get out. A few months after the RAAF approved installation in Sabre fighters, the afore mentioned accident in Malaya occurred and the pilot's life was saved.

Last edited by Centaurus; 28th Jul 2019 at 14:10.
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