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August 4, 2004 · Cessna 208B · N1037N

Big Rapids, MI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 4, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Big Rapids, MI
Aircraft
Cessna 208B
Tail Number
N1037N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI04LA213

The airplane was substantially damaged when the cargo door inadvertently opened in-flight and a box departed the aircraft, striking the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that after loading the cargo, he and the loaders had to "muscle the cargo door closed due to a large volume of freight." The taxi and takeoff were normal, but a few minutes after leveling at cruising altitude the door ajar light illuminated. The pilot stated that "shortly after this illumination, there was a loud thud and [he] figured that a box had departed the aircraft and struck the tail." The pilot reported that aircraft control was normal after the accident. He stated that he employed the door ajar checklist, diverted to an intermediate airport, and landed uneventfully. When he exited the aircraft, the pilot saw the damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. An inspection of the cargo door installation on the accident aircraft revealed the door structure and locking mechanism were intact and appeared undamaged. The door closed and latched properly. The cargo door had a window installed. The inspection noted that with this design the door had enough flexibility to allow the forward frame of the door to be seated in the door jamb and latched, while the aft frame was outside the jamb and unlatched. The micro-switch for the DOOR WARNING annunciator light was located on the forward jamb. Therefore, it was possible in that configuration for the aft cargo door latch not to be engaged without the annunciator light being illuminated.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to verify that the cargo door was latched properly prior to flight and the subsequent in-flight opening of the door. A contributing factor was the box which departed the cargo compartment and struck the horizontal stabilizer.

Full Narrative

On August 4, 2004, about 0805 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 208B, N1037N, operated by Superior Aviation, Inc. and piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when the cargo door opened during cruise flight and a box departed the aircraft impacting the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot diverted to Roben-Hood Airport (RQB), Big Rapids, Michigan, and landed safely. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 135 on an instrument flight rules flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), Grand Rapids, Michigan, approximately 0750, with an intended destination of Cherry Capital Airport (TVC), Traverse City, Michigan. The pilot reported that after loading the cargo, he and the loaders had to "muscle the cargo door closed due to a large volume of freight." He noted that taxi and takeoff were normal, but that a few minutes after leveling at cruising altitude the door ajar light illuminated. The pilot stated that "shortly after this illumination, there was a loud thud and [he] figured that a box had departed the aircraft and struck the tail." The pilot reported that aircraft control was normal after the accident. He stated that he employed the door ajar checklist and diverted to RBQ. He noted that he landed uneventfully. When he exited the aircraft, the pilot saw the damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the cargo door installation on the accident aircraft. He reported the door structure and locking mechanism were intact and appeared undamaged. The door closed and latched properly. The inspector noted that the door had a window installed. He stated that with this design the door had enough flexibility to allow the forward frame of the door to be seated in the door jamb and latched, while the aft frame was outside the jamb and unlatched. He reported the micro switch for the DOOR WARNING annunciator light was located on the forward jamb. Therefore, it was possible in that configuration for the aft cargo door latch not to be engaged without the annunciator light being illuminated.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time08:05 EDT
Nearest AirportRoben-Hood (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledIFR
Flight Plan ActivatedYes
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 208B
Tail NumberN1037N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 135
Engines1
Engine TypeTurboprop
Engine DetailsPratt & Whitney Canada · PT6A-114A · Turboprop · 675
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 23 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind360° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 11000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 55
Altimeter29.87 inHg
Observation Time11:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data