On April 27, 1987, a Beech 95-55 (registration N9711R) operated by Sweets Flying Service was involved in an aviation accident near Monterey, CA. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Shortly after takeoff, the cabin door opened inflight. The pilot attempted to return but was unsuccessful due to weather. Vectored to another airport, the pilot never climbed to assigned altitude, was not in radar contact, and mistakenly flew the backcourse approach without an approach plate, leading to collision with terrain.
Sequence of Events
Just after takeoff, the cabin door opened in flight. The pilot attempted to return and land but was unsuccessful due to weather conditions. Air traffic control then vectored the pilot to another airport.
Navigation Errors
During the diversion, the pilot never climbed to the assigned altitude and was never in radar contact. Believing he was on the front course to the runway, the pilot was in fact on the backcourse. Additionally, the pilot did not have in his possession an approach plate for that airport.
Collision with Terrain
The pilot descended into a mountain and collided with the terrain.