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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

October 10, 2011 · Cessna 182A · N6324B

Warrenton, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 10, 2011
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Warrenton, VA
Aircraft
Cessna 182A
Tail Number
N6324B
Operator
Skydive Maple Grove
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ERA12CA024

The pilot stated that he was descending the airplane from an altitude of 8,000 feet after releasing skydivers. During the descent, at an altitude of about 3,000 feet, the airplane's door opened and contacted the underside of the wing. The pilot slowed the airplane and attempted to close the door but noticed that the door had warped and that the window was missing. A postflight examination of the airplane revealed that the window had separated from the door in flight and contacted the right horizontal stabilizer, resulting in substantial damage. The door had been modified with a top hinge for skydiving operations and was closed by means of two pin-type latches that were inserted into holes located on both the forward and aft sides of the door frame. The aft pin hole was torn, indicative of its latch pin having been inserted at the time of the door opening; however, the forward pin hole exhibited no damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot did not ensure that the forward door latch was secured prior to initiating the descent.

Full Narrative

The pilot stated that he was descending the airplane from an altitude of 8,000 feet after releasing skydivers. During the descent, at an altitude of about 3,000 feet, the airplane's door opened and contacted the underside of the wing. The pilot slowed the airplane and attempted to close the door, but noticed that the door had warped and that the window was missing. A postflight inspection of the airplane revealed that the window had separated from the door in flight and contacted the right horizontal stabilizer, resulting in substantial damage. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the door had been modified with a top hinge for skydiving operations, and was closed by means of two pin-type latches that were inserted into holes located on both fore and aft sides of the door frame. The forward pin hole exhibited no damage, while the aft pin hole was torn, indicative of the latch pin being inserted at the time of the door opening.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:45 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 182A
Tail NumberN6324B
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSkydive Maple Grove
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsCont Motor · O-470 SERIES · Reciprocating · 230
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 39 · First Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 55
Altimeter30.31 inHg
Observation Time13:52
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data