Unsecured door involving a Mikoyan Gurevich MIG-21UM, VH-XXI, Williamtown, New South Wales, on 23 July 1995

Whilst climbing through 4,000 feet at about 400kts, the front canopy blew open and shattered but remained attached, hanging to the right side of the aircraft. The pilot reported that due to minor handling problems a minimum of 220kts approach speed was used. On touchdown the drag chute was deployed but separated from the aircraft, requiring heavy braking to be used. At about 100kts the nosewheel tyre failed and deflated. The aircraft was able to be taxied clear of the runway and shut down.

Ground investigation revealed that the front canopy lock was not in the fully locked position, allowing the canopy to open in flight. The drag chute operation could not be faulted, and it is suspected that the release button had been activated sometime prior to the flight. The button is lockwired and the lockwire was found broken. The checklist is to be amended to require this item to be checked before flight. The nose tyre probably failed as a result of the high landing speed, and heavy braking without drag chute assistance.