The pilot reported that, during a go-around after a low approach, the Cessna 170’s left cabin door opened.
He reached back to close the door and the airplane aerodynamically stalled.
He was unable to recover, and the airplane hit the ground and hit multiple fences in Axtell, Kansas.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to attempt to close a passenger door during a critical phase of flight.
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA489
This August 2017 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.
Happened once in my Bonanza. The door wouldn’t open up any greater than 3/4 inches in the slipstream. It was noisy even with headset on. Plane flew perfectly right through rollout. As Richard says, “Just fly the damn airplane” and close the door when you get back on the ground.
I’ve had to pilot door open on my C175 in flight a number of times, and it’s not a critical problem. The door will only open a few inches and it isn’t noticeable unless you look. It isn’t possible to close it in flight and get it to latch.
Fly the airplane , land and close it….
Other aircraft types could have an issue with an open door, but the pilot must still fly the aircraft first. !
First & Foremost: FLY THE DAMN AIRPLANE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The other day there were a few guys flying a 6 place single and just after take off, apparently the forward baggage door opened. Over unicom we heard “Piper 1234D have a popped door, turning Xwind for 1-5, flying the damn plane!”
And so he did.
Apparently some CFIs have been really grinding that phrase into people.