The pilot reported that 30 minutes after departure at 6,000 feet mean sea level, the Beech 35’s door opened in flight. He stated that the temperature dropped, papers went flying about the cabin, and the noise was “overwhelming.”
The passenger tried to hold the door shut, but could not secured it. The pilot diverted to an airport near Effingham, Ill., for landing. He then “simply forgot to put the gear down.”
The airplane touched down and skidded on its belly, resulting in substantial damage to the airplane’s stringers, formers, and main spar carry through.
The NTSB determined the probable cause as the pilot’s failure to lower the landing gear.
NTSB Identification: CEN15CA011
This October 2014 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others.
I was a fairly newly minted PPL years ago taking my then girlfriend for a pleasure flight out of DAB in a 152. Shortly after taking off from Runway 7L I realized my door was open. It was distracting and a bit unnerving. I did not want to alarm her so once we reached a little bit higher altitude I asked her to take the controls and just keep us straight (an easy task). She asked why and I just said that I needed to adjust something. One good push out and back in and the door was secured and we carried on with the flight.
One of my experience was one of the sest belt buckle was dangling ourside making a loud banging noice…we open the door n retracted the seat belt buckle.
I have never had a door pop open in flight but I did once encounter an alarming noise during takeoff in a C-150, the loose end of a seatbelt was caught hanging out the door. In that case it was a simple land straight ahead (long runway) then taxi off and correct the problem. Such things are naturally very distracting to the normal calm and quite in the cockpit during landing and until you have actually been there you will never know how you will perform. When faced with distractions the best approach I can offer is stick to the checklist then double and triple check.
There is no point in the incriminations after the fact and claims that you would do a better job in that situation, “There but by the Grace of God Go I”
I agree with you Sarah A. It, for lack of a better word, amuses me how the “expert fliers” always come out of the woodwork to condemn someone else when they haven’t “been there and done that.” THOSE are the flyers you have to watch out for in the air. The infallible ones. The ones who never commit an error. The pilots who are humble and understand that unfortunately sometimes “stuff happens” but you have to remain aware of it and learn from other’s experiences, are the much better aviators.
I have had three doors pop on three difffernt airframes, all alarming and one just after liftoff towing a glider. Fortunately no incidents but the old saying rang in my mind post the shock and not necessarily fully identified “is the airplane flying? Keep flying it…” After understanding the situation, fly the airplane to a safe position, access and try to close the door if possible. If not, land as soon as practicable. I was able to close on all three cases as suggested with lower power at a safe alt and position and some quick pre planning on what I was to do. All three I was solo and all three the px door!
I also had a life vest strap hanging out a door slapping the underside of the plane infrequently and randomly in such a manner I thought it was the engine banging. Heard it first at about 300′ on climb out. (No me of us could see the strap as well as we all looked out trying to figure out what the random popping was). Spoke up, turned about when safe as engine making power and within parameters, and landed with ATC calling the crash trucks just in case at their decision. Embarrasing as it was right after a major local air show with tremendous pressure of exiting aircraft but took no chance and would do it again.
These little things can catch us all completely off guard and the door not being locked once and the strap was my fault. They can be quite alarming and could start the chain of events leading up to a statistic which any one of us could be. Fortunately, I could keep flying on all cases.
If you are a ‘distracted’ pilot then you do not belong in the air….no excuses.
This pilot forgot to “aviate”. the passenger was holding the door, so fly the aircraft and don’t forget the checklists, especially when in an abnormal situation, this way you don’t forget something.
Or land & close the door. Oh yeah, put the black puffy things down first……….
Put the airplane into a wings level (turning) sideslip with the slipstream on the side of the airplane opposite the offending door. Reduce power to idle. With the dynamic pressure reduced it should be possible to swing the door out enough to slam it closed and latched. Been there done that.
Thanks…..good info, stored away!