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NTSB Report
November 8, 1987 · Piper PA-34-220T · N83931
El Paso, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Incident
Date
November 8, 1987
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (6 uninjured)
Location
El Paso, TX
Aircraft
Piper PA-34-220T
Tail Number
N83931
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Minor
NTSB Number
FTW88IA025
THE PILOT STATED THAT THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR WAS PROPERLY CLOSED AND LOCKED BEFORE TAKEOFF BUT IT CAME OPEN DURING THE AIRCRAFT'S INITIAL CLIMB AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL. HE MADE AN IMMEDIATE DESCENT AND LANDED ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY. HE DELAYED THE LEVELOFF WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING AND COLLAPSE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DUE TO OVERLOAD FORCES. POST INCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE DOOR LATCHING/LOCKING MECHANISM REVEALED NO BROKEN OR IMPROPER PARTS. HOWEVER, THERE WAS OBVIOUS WEAR AND MISADJUSTED COMPONENTS IN THE LATCHING/LOCKING MECHANISM. PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (NO. 872) ON THE DAY AFTER THE INCIDENT WHICH ADDRESSED THE SUBJECT OF WORN AND/OR MISADJUSTED COMPONENTS IN THIS SYSTEM.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT STATED THAT THE NOSE BAGGAGE DOOR WAS PROPERLY CLOSED AND LOCKED BEFORE TAKEOFF BUT IT CAME OPEN DURING THE AIRCRAFT'S INITIAL CLIMB AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL. HE MADE AN IMMEDIATE DESCENT AND LANDED ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY. HE DELAYED THE LEVELOFF WHICH RESULTED IN A HARD LANDING AND COLLAPSE OF THE LEFT MAIN LANDING GEAR DUE TO OVERLOAD FORCES. POST INCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE DOOR LATCHING/LOCKING MECHANISM REVEALED NO BROKEN OR IMPROPER PARTS. HOWEVER, THERE WAS OBVIOUS WEAR AND MISADJUSTED COMPONENTS IN THE LATCHING/LOCKING MECHANISM. PIPER AIRCRAFT CORPORATION ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN (NO. 872) ON THE DAY AFTER THE INCIDENT WHICH ADDRESSED THE SUBJECT OF WORN AND/OR MISADJUSTED COMPONENTS IN THIS SYSTEM.
Flight
Event TypeIncident
Event Time08:27 MST
Nearest AirportEl Paso Int'L (0nm N)
Runway4
Runway Length11012 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-34-220T
Tail NumberN83931
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageMinor
Operating RulePart 91
Engines2
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · TSIO-360-KB1 · Reciprocating · 220
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (6 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured6
Total6
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 9 kt
Visibility70 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:27
Weather SourceWFAC