De Havilland Canada Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Commercial; Flight Crew Instrument
Dispatch Dispatch 35; Flight Crew Last 90 Days 25; Flight Crew Total 1650; Flight Crew Type 49
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
Flight Crew Landed As Precaution; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft
After takeoff I noticed that there seemed to be a lot of noise in the cockpit; I checked the pressure seals and everything seemed fine. On turning toward the airport for the approach the canopy locking pin sheared and the canopy separated from the aircraft. I called the Tower and reported losing the canopy and that I would return to [departure airport]! I did not [request priority handling] as the aircraft was safe to fly. I landed the aircraft and replaced the canopy.
A deHavilland pilot reported losing the canopy in flight and returning to departure airport for a precautionary landing.