The pilot side gas strut failed at the upper bracket connection. This is a threaded connect and prior builder Chad had a mis-matched thread between the strut end and the fitting connecting to the lift arm. He used an epoxy patch amd wishful thinking. Hmmm. I disassembled, cleaned out the old epoxy, used tap and die to clean the threads, cleaned with acetone and patched with JB Weld. Below are pictures showing the strut at inspection, the break, and reinstalled repaired part.

In order to repair the gas strut fitting I had removed the canopy. It's always time to clean, and this time I saw a hairline crack in the new paint job. The frame was made 17 years ago and has been on and off the place dozens of times - I don't know when this happened. I sanded off the finish, patched with 2 layers of BID and put peel ply on it. The epoxy was "G-Flex", a toughened epoxy that I like for repair work. I'm not sure I'll repaint - this is a reminder to stay vigilant.

The rear canopy is hinged at the top of the fuselage with a gas strut running from the fixed portion to a ball connect on the left side. The original gas strut failed (no remaining pressure), so I replaced with the original 10 lb, then upsized to a 20, then 30 lb strut. Installed it correctly (cylinder up and rod down, keeping that oil drop on top of the seal) I think it will last. This strut is 20" long.