Amateur/Home Built/Experimental
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 11000; Flight Crew Type 10
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft
During a night flight to check out a new comm radio I had installed in my experimental aircraft; the canopy opened and broke the plexiglass out. I was approximately 7 miles east of the airport and had just listened to ATIS; switched to Tower frequency and started my decent from 4;500 feet. Before I contacted Tower; the canopy on my aircraft opened and broke the plexiglass out of the frame. I maintained control of the aircraft and was able to keep my headset on. I had a hard time talking to the Tower due to the wind blast in the cockpit. I was able to slow down to help with the wind noise and to see outside better with less wind entering the cockpit. I requested priority handling and was cleared to land. I was able to maintain control of the aircraft and make a safe landing. I was able to taxi to parking.I requested priority handling at the time not knowing how things would progress with the canopy being damaged. Seeing at night with the cold air entering the cockpit was challenging.After considering the age of the aircraft; which was built over 40 years ago; more detailed inspections of latches; hinges and plexiglass would be paramount to continued operation of aging aircraft.
Experimental aircraft pilot reported the cockpit canopy opened during descent approach resulting in the plexiglass breaking.  Pilot described a difficult final approach; but landed the aircraft safely.