TAMPA, FL, USA
N6079R
PIPER PA-60-601P
THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTED RUNWAY 18L AT TAMPA INTL AIRPORT. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT REPORTED TO THE CONTROL TOWER THAT THE MAIN CABIN DOOR WAS OPEN AND REQUESTED LANDING INSTRUCTIONS. THE PILOT STATED HE WAS HOLDING THE DOOR AND TRYING TO FLY THE AIRCRAFT WHILE ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH TO RUNWAY 27. THE PILOT LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND APPROX 200 FT SHORT OF RUNWAY 27. EXAMINATION OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE. AIRCRAFT FLIGHT MANUAL STATES: 'SHOULD THE CABIN DOOR INADVERTENTLY OPEN IN FLIGHT, REDUCE AIRSPEED AND LAND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MANUALLY CLOSE (OR HOLD CLOSED) THE DOOR IN FLIGHT DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY CAUSED BY THE PROPELLER OR BY AIR LOADS ON THE DOOR.'
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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