In general terms, and not specifically related to this accident, other potential reasons for abandoning an aircraft by parachute include jammed flight controls, disconnected flight controls, an onboard fire that will not extinguish, mid air collision, and for some types a failure to achieve correct landing gear lowering. Jammed flying controls due to a loose article is always high on my list of potential reasons.

@Lomcevak has very reasonably pointed out just some of the very good reasons to bail out. In hindsight they are obvious but the list is not exhaustive as I’m sure he would agree. What is true in every case is that if you have the good fortune of wearing a parachute you must also learn to how to get out. If you are carry a passenger you are obliged to brief them as well. May I suggest the following? Firstly, at less than 3,000 feet make your mind up to leave as quickly as possible. Secondly, after you have decided to jump unlatch the canopy and then undo your straps. You do not need the wait for the canopy to detach. Next, if you have control, push hard and you will be flung out else jump. Lastly, the moment you are out look for your D ring and with both hands pull hard. If you have the time (and steering) you may steer the parachute to a best possible landing and/or into wind. Then prepare for the impact. In this case I believe the Extra’s canopy shattered in flight. This resulted in the pilot being blinded by canopy shards. Not being able to see to perform a landing he very sensibly decided to bail out.

That’s interesting, was it a birdstrike? I’ve never considered wearing eye protection in a canopied aircraft.

Common sense,and a hard-hat and visor.....

Birdstrikes are one of those hazards that exist. S-76 crashed in the USA as a result of a bird coming through the windscreen with the loss of all on board. Pilot in a Cessna 172 had a birdstrike causing airframe damage and loss of control with fatal results. Our own S-76 operation had a birdstrike on the upper windscreen divider, bird went up into the main rotor where a blade slapped the bird down through the cabin roof onto the passengers laps. Best tale I read was a Bell 206 pilot rendered unconscious while night flying when a bird came through the windscreen, fortunately the aircraft was one of those rare examples fitted with an autopilot which was in control at the time, he woke up some time later to assume control.

Canopy failure thought to be due to poor bonding with the frame:
https://assets.publishing.service.go...MIIL_04-24.pdf

That is an unusually thorough and comprehensive investigation for a light aircraft accident. Well done to the team responsible.

Conclusion for layman: Canopy not glued on proper, like.

Interesting note right at the end that the BFU (German AAIB) think the canopy not being locked properly was the cause of the accident. The fatigue cracking and subsequent shattering of the canopy seem to be well evidenced, though?

It is not impossible that the pilot unlatched it out of instinct prior to abandoning the airframe, bearing in mind that he wasn’t exactly sure what had occurred but knew he was hitting the silk.

According to today's Daily Telegraph the pilot "ejected". Rolls eyes. No comments allowed on the article so unable to put the so-called journalist right. Surprised they didn't describe it as a jet.

Blackfriar yes, I was frustrated by the inability to comment! :}

Apparently Extra have issued a service bulletin to correct potential deficiencies in the bonding process.

My guess is that there had been a significant risk of injuries/deaths on the ground, given it impacted a block of flats, so warranted a more thorough investigation.

Had a canopy fall off a grob twin astir when being screamed at by the duty instructor at Worcester ZA to clear the runway asap.
On close inspection during its annual fetish the fool who carried it out had removed the hinge bolts, glued the hinges to the canopy with epoxy, added P38 then spray painted over it.
Turned out to be the duty dogs body who was a car dealer..stopped b@llocking me without admitting it was he but said it was a good job I hadn’t done any Aeros..which I had but only loops, chandels and the odd stall turn..now if I had attempted a slow roll maybe it would have been different as I’m crap at them.