FLINT, MI, USA
N815MC
CESSNA 441
THE PILOT SAID THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE BAGGAGE DOORS OPENED SHORTLY AFTER LIFTOFF. HE SAID HE RETARDED THE POWER LEVERS AND LANDED THE AIRPLANE GEAR UP. A WITNESS SAID THE LANDING GEAR WAS RETRACTED AS SOON AS THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE'S NOSE BAGGAGE DOORS OPEN SHORTLY AFTER LIFT OFF.
On July 1, 1994, at 1300 eastern standard time, a Cessna 441, N815MC, registered to Rico Marketing of Flint, Michigan, and piloted by an airline transport rated pilot, was substantially damaged when it collided with the ground during an aborted takeoff on runway 27 (7,200' X 150' dry concrete) at the Bishop International Airport, Flint, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 positioning flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was the only occupant in the airplane and reported no injuries. The flight was originating from Flint, Michigan, when the accident occurred. The pilot's written statement indicates he "...experienced a substantial power loss..." during takeoff and he "...elected to put the aircraft back on the runway... ." The pilot said that "... time was insufficient to extend the landing gear." During an interview the pilot stated that both lefthand baggage doors opened as the airplane lifted off the runway. He said he reduced power and landed the airplane with the landing gear retracted. The airplane's owner said that he would park the airplane in the hangar with the baggage doors unlatched. He said he did this to keep from having to unlatch the doors during preflights. One witness stated he observed the airplane liftoff the runway followed by an immediate gear retraction and the baggage doors opening. He said that shortly after the doors opened he heard the engine sound stop and saw the airplane descend to the runway.
AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE BY THE PILOT. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ACCIDENT WERE UNLATCHED NOSE CARGO DOORS AND THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO EXTEND THE LANDING GEAR.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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