Pilot Debrief

Advertising MGMT & Consulting Velocity Super XLRG5 near San Diego, CA — 2010-08-02

Final reportWPR10LA381
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Date
2010-08-02
Location
San Diego, CA, USA
Airport
MFY
Aircraft
Advertising MGMT & Consulting Velocity Super XLRG5
Registration
N444YP
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Takeoff roll

Probable cause

The pilot did not close and secure the right passenger door, which resulted in an in-flight separation of the door and subsequent loss of engine power due to the door’s collision with the rear-mounted engine assembly.

NTSB narrative

In a postaccident interview, the pilot reported that he did not remember taxiing out for takeoff with the right passenger door open but that he did remember that the right door was open after takeoff and that he advised the control tower operator of his intention to return to the airport. The pilot recalled that, during the return maneuver, there was a vibration, as if the door had come off and struck the rear-mounted propeller, which prompted him to make an emergency landing on a nearby golf course. A witness at the airport reported seeing the right passenger door open during taxi and takeoff. The right passenger door was located about 1 mile west-southwest of the accident site. A postaccident examination revealed that the door’s locking mechanism was intact and that the lower forward section of the door showed black rubber signature marks that were consistent with contact with the engine drive belt, which was found separated from the engine. Additionally, the cambered surfaces of each of the three propeller blades exhibited rubber impact marks. A postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any preaccident anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. A flight instructor reported that, during a postaccident conversation, the pilot told him that he simply missed locking the copilot door and that this resulted in the separation of the door from the airframe.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot failed to lock the passenger door before departure, leading to its separation.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 23 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents23

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