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NTSB Report
April 17, 1990 · Piper PA-31-350 · N4109E
Deadhorse, AK
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 17, 1990
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Deadhorse, AK
Aircraft
Piper PA-31-350
Tail Number
N4109E
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ANC90LA062
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR OPENED, AND AN ENGINE COVER SEPARATED AND STRUCK THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE BAGGAGE DOOR HANDLE LATCHING MECHANISM SPRING THAT EXERTS PRESSURE TO CLOSE THE HANDLE WAS FOUND MISSING. THE OPERATOR HAD ALSO MODIFIED THE LATCHING MECHANISM TO INCLUDE A NON-APPROVED SAFETY DEVICE DESIGNED TO PREVENT INADVERTENT OPENING OF THE BAGGAGE DOOR. THE OPERATOR DID NOT REQUIRE THAT THE BAGGAGE DOOR BE LOCKED FOR FLIGHT, AND KEYS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NTSB Probable Cause
INADEQUATE MAINTENANCE AND INSPECTION OF THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR.
Full Narrative
DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR OPENED, AND AN ENGINE COVER SEPARATED AND STRUCK THE HORIZONTAL STABILIZER. THE BAGGAGE DOOR HANDLE LATCHING MECHANISM SPRING THAT EXERTS PRESSURE TO CLOSE THE HANDLE WAS FOUND MISSING. THE OPERATOR HAD ALSO MODIFIED THE LATCHING MECHANISM TO INCLUDE A NON-APPROVED SAFETY DEVICE DESIGNED TO PREVENT INADVERTENT OPENING OF THE BAGGAGE DOOR. THE OPERATOR DID NOT REQUIRE THAT THE BAGGAGE DOOR BE LOCKED FOR FLIGHT, AND KEYS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:04 AKDT
Nearest AirportDeadhorse (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-31-350
Tail NumberN4109E
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · TIO-540-J · Reciprocating · 350
Seats10
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 30 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 12 kt
Visibility4 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point25 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO