Light Sport Aircraft
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Instrument
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 35; Flight Crew Total 800; Flight Crew Type 200
Training / Qualification
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Human Factors
Pilot possibly improperly secured side window latch. During climb out the front latch on the right window unlatched and bowed out into the slipstream. The pilot attempted to re-secure the latch but was unable to match the detent before the window caught again and broke away from the latch. The window plexiglass departed the airframe at the hinge point over what appeared to be a sparsely populated area. The immediately lost sight of the debris upon departure of the aircraft and am unsure of its final location from altitude. Upon landing a post flight inspection revealed damage to the underside of the wing; fuselage and horizontal stabilizer.The Carbon Cub clearly has placarded limits on window position for takeoff and landing as well as airspeed limitations while one window may be operated while in flight. It is believed that the front latch was not properly seated or reversed in its track but cannot be confirmed. Low experience in this aircraft and door procedures likely lead to this result. The high power setting; cruise climb airspeed (above the window operating range) and aggressive slipstream in effect lead to a very quick sequence of events and powerful forces on the partially latched window.
Carbon Cub pilot reported the right cockpit window came loose after takeoff and eventually separated from the aircraft.