The canopy is not that bad of a problem. Noise and wind are
distractions but the airplane is flyable. The canopy won't open much
further in controlled maneuvering flight as the lift produced by the air flow
over it is counteracted by the forces of air flow against the canopy.
Perhaps one should review the relationship between the cowl and the
prop spinner in the picture as it may indicate something beyond the normal
"lift" on the cowl in climb and the thrust forces from the engine/prop.
The gear was down and should have stayed that way thru an emergency return
to land (assuming enough power remained) OR, if enough runway was available, the
takeoff should have been aborted.
These are the toughies - there never will be answers to How? Why?
.............
Grayhawk
In a message dated 4/16/2008 7:45:09 P.M. Central Daylight Time,
aadamson@highrf.com writes:
http://www.airliners.net/uf/view.file?id=536888751&filename=phpxexrtQ.jpg