What happened
The pilot reported that the nose baggage door was securely closed and locked prior to departure. However, the door opened unexpectedly while the aircraft was climbing at approximately 200 feet above ground level. In response to this emergency, the pilot initiated an immediate descent to land on the remaining runway. The decision to delay leveling off during the approach resulted in a hard landing, which subjected the airframe to excessive vertical loads. These overload forces caused the left main landing gear to collapse upon impact with the runway surface.
The investigation
Following the accident, investigators conducted a thorough examination of the nose baggage door latching and locking mechanism. The inspection revealed no broken or improperly installed parts within the system. However, clear signs of wear were evident on various components, and several parts were found to be misadjusted. These mechanical deficiencies likely compromised the integrity of the latch during flight vibrations.
Findings
The investigation highlighted that worn and misadjusted components in the latching system can lead to unexpected door openings even when initially secured. In response to this incident, Piper Aircraft Corporation issued Service Bulletin No. 872 on the day after the accident. This bulletin specifically addressed the maintenance requirements for worn or misadjusted components within this locking system to prevent recurrence.