911 tip- up latched closed

[hydroguy2]

HELP! my canopy is stuck shut. Shut the canopy then pushed plane across ramp to a free hangar. Must have got bounced around or something. Anyway anyone else have luck getting one stuck and reopened.

I may have to drill the plexi

[glacier]

Call Cash he may have idea.

[yakdriver]

Shoulda built a slider. Brian,what is holding it down? Did the side latch mechanism come apart? Pictures? Don

[Mike S]

I would drill an access hole in the alum before I drilled one in the plexi

[Noah]

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=27233

Seemed like the best solution for this problem on a finished plane was drilling a SMALL hole in the plexi for a screwdriver that can be filled later with a plexi plug or by fitting an external latch handle.

Good Luck!

[rjcthree]

And why I did an external knob.

My canopy is not as tight down low, a strategically bent slim jim inserted down low, carry it up?

drilling with a capplug may be completely not-noticable long term.

Rick 90432

[Larco]

This happened to me last Sunday at SEZ. Was able to raise the canopy about 1/4 of an inch and used a coat hanger to pull the handle around. It had us worried for sure. Working on a back up as we speak. :-) Larry

[jsharkey]

Won't help you get it open but I've seen one with a short bearing block and a spring that pulls the handle up an 1/8th or 1/4 inch. To latch you have to pull down against the spring and turn. The spring keeps it from accidentally latching and also keeps some tension on it while it is latched. It's on my list of future mods

Oops - Just noticed the pics up thread. Still a good idea though.

Have you tried a strong magnet to move the handle? Or a thin wire coat hanger? Or a thin plastic shim snaked through the gap and moved side ways?

Jim Sharkey
RV-6 Tip-up

[dlloyd3]

What I read to have happened is you shut and latched your canopy and now can not reopen the side latch--the WD617 canopy latch seems to be stuck on the WD622 canopy latch lug. That has worried me a couple times, both being inside and outside the plane. Long range fix is work at smoothing and shaping the canopy latch fingers so they will not catch on the latch lug. This problem seems to be worse if the lugs are adjusted to pull the canopy down too tight. It is a fine line to keep my seal from leaking air and yet not be too tight and cause difficulty opening. Sitting in the sunshine may also cause something to expand and tighten the adjustment. Right now, try pushing down on the canopy sides (both) near the latch lugs to create a clearance while working the latch handle. Hope that helps.

[frankh]

This happened to me once.

I pushed down on the plexi to take the tension of the latch..the thumped the plexi up by the handle with my clenched fist and then immediately released pressure on the plexi..Kept doing this rapidly for a few mintues and the latch vibrated just enough and it popped open.

Frank