AUGUSTA, KS, USA
N7505F
Champion 7ECA
The main entry door separated from the airplane during cruise flight, resulting in substantial damage to the right side of the airplane. No evidence was found to indicate that the safety pin for the quick release hinge pins had been installed. The owner had the door removed from the airplane during the summer and had recently reinstalled it.
On October 29, 1997, at 1530 central standard time, a Champion 7ECA, N7505F, operated by a commercial pilot experienced a separation of the main entry door during cruise flight 9 miles east of Augusta, Kansas. Substantial damage to the right wing resulted from the door separation. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The original destination for the flight was Wichita, Kansas, but the pilot diverted to Augusta, Kansas, following the door separation. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight originated from Beaumount, Kansas, at 1500 cst. The airplane was inspected by an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Wichita Flight Standards District Office who reported that the main entry door quick release hinge pins backed out of the hinges, allowing the door to separate from the airplane. The system is designed with a safety pin to secure the hinge pins in place. There was no evidence that the safety pin had been installed. The airplane owner reported that he had the door off of the airplane during the summer and had recently reinstalled it.
failure of the aircraft owner to reinstall the quick release hinge pins/safety pins, and failure of the pilot to notice the missing pins during the aircraft preflight, which resulted in separation of the main entry door during flight.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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