Narrative:
While en route to his destination, the pilot experienced variations in the airplane's cabin pressure. The pilot removed his noise-cancelling headset and was able to detect an air leak from the area of the entrance door. Moments later, the airplane encountered turbulence and the door departed the airplane causing substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot declared an emergency and was able to land at the nearest suitable airfield.
During his preflight inspection, the pilot secured the door "normally," but could not recall if he visually confirmed that the door was secured. The fuselage door frame did not display signs of deformation where the entrance door's bayonets seat into the door frame. The door was not recovered and an examination for mechanical failure could not be conducted.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Failure of the door to remain secure for undetermined reasons.
"
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Sunday 31 August 2008 |
| Time: | 13:20 |
| Type: |  Fairchild SA227-AC Metro III |
| Operator: | McNeely Charter Service |
| Registration: | N2699Y |
| MSN: | AC-666 |
| First flight: | 1986 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 30488 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | near Carlsbad, NM ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | El Paso International Airport, TX (ELP/KELP), United States of America |
| Carlsbad Airport, NM (CNM/KCNM), United States of America |
While en route to his destination, the pilot experienced variations in the airplane's cabin pressure. The pilot removed his noise-cancelling headset and was able to detect an air leak from the area of the entrance door. Moments later, the airplane encountered turbulence and the door departed the airplane causing substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot declared an emergency and was able to land at the nearest suitable airfield.
During his preflight inspection, the pilot secured the door "normally," but could not recall if he visually confirmed that the door was secured. The fuselage door frame did not display signs of deformation where the entrance door's bayonets seat into the door frame. The door was not recovered and an examination for mechanical failure could not be conducted.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Failure of the door to remain secure for undetermined reasons.
"
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from El Paso International Airport, TX to Carlsbad Airport, NM as the crow flies is 206 km (129 miles).
Distance from El Paso International Airport, TX to Carlsbad Airport, NM as the crow flies is 206 km (129 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
The Aviation Safety Network is an exclusive service provided by:
