Pilot Debrief

CESSNA AIRCRAFT CO 162 near Dunkirk, NY — 2015-07-16

Final reportERA15LA269
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Date
2015-07-16
Location
Dunkirk, NY, USA
Airport
DKK
Aircraft
CESSNA AIRCRAFT CO 162
Registration
N6047W
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Initial climb

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while attempting to close an open cabin door, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall.

NTSB narrative

The pilot of the light sport airplane had completed two touch-and-go takeoffs and landings in the airport traffic pattern. During the third takeoff, the right door opened at an altitude about 400 ft above ground level. Seated in the left seat, the pilot attempted to reach across the cockpit and close the door, but could not reach the handle. He stated that the airplane "did not want to fly," and "began to sink" before it impacted trees. A witness stated that the airplane was in an "aggressive" nose-up attitude just before impact. Postaccident examination of the airplane, including the right door latch, revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot's operating handbook for the airplane stated that, in the event of a door opening in flight, the pilot should not attempt to close the door and should land normally as soon as practical. It is likely that the pilot became distracted by the open door during flight, and, in his attempt to close the door at low altitude, the airplane became too slow, exceeded its critical angle of attack, and experienced an aerodynamic stall.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot should have followed procedures for an open cabin door during climb.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents3

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