Narine Melkumjan, a Dutch aerobatic pilot, faced a life-threatening situation when her aircraft canopy unexpectedly opened mid-air during a training flight. Melkumjan shared a video on social media capturing the terrifying moment as she struggled to maintain control of her Extra 330LX aircraft.
What happened
The incident occurred during Melkumjan’s second aerobatic training flight, which took place a couple of years ago. In the video, she is visibly distressed, battling to keep her eyes open against the wind as the aircraft canopy, the transparent enclosure that protects the cockpit, burst open. Despite the chaos, Melkumjan skillfully landed the two-seater aircraft safely.
Reflection and lessons learned
Melkumjan reflected on the ordeal, acknowledging that it could have been avoided with proper pre-flight checks. She admitted that the canopy locking pin had not been properly secured before takeoff.
*PLEASE MIND WHEN WATCHING. AT 2:17 MINUTE MARK VIDEO FOOTAGE BECOMES RATHER INTENSE*
A couple of years ago during my second aerobatic training flight of that day, on a very hot summer day, the canopy of the Extra 330LX that I was flying opened in flight and shattered. As you… pic.twitter.com/nLhvDqVnII
— Narine Melkumjan (@NarineMelkumjan) June 22, 2024
“I also made the mistake of going to the training camp right after recovering from COVID, without allowing my body enough time to fully regain strength. Additionally, flying without any eye protection made the flight even more challenging than it already was,” she wrote in a detailed post on X.
She experienced significant “buffet and controllability challenges,” noting that the “most difficult part was to keep the power in, thus trading my vision and breathing for kinetic energy.”
Communication and recovery
Amid the mid-air chaos, communication with her coach was nearly impossible due to the overwhelming noise. Despite this, she distinctly remembered her coach’s crucial advice: “Just keep flying.”
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The aftermath was distressing, with Melkumjan describing the overwhelming noise, difficulty breathing, and impaired visibility. “It took me nearly 28 hours to fully recover my vision,” she revealed.
Cautionary tale for fellow pilots
Melkumjan, known for frequently posting flying videos on social media, shared the footage of her dramatic flight as a “cautionary tale” for other pilots. She expressed regret for not sharing it sooner.
“If you are a pilot watching this, I hope that my story serves as a cautionary tale and that you will learn from my mistakes,” she wrote.
Narine Melkumjan’s harrowing experience highlights the importance of rigorous pre-flight checks and preparation. Her story serves as a valuable lesson for the aviation community, emphasizing the need for caution, proper health recovery, and adequate safety measures in all flights.
