On October 4, 1992, a Beech C24R (registration N6636Y) operated by Proflight Inc. was involved in an aviation accident near Fayetteville, AR. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: THE PILOT'S DELAYED FLARE. A FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SECURE THE DOOR PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
During a VFR departure, the right-side cabin door opened, prompting the pilot to return to the airport. The airplane struck the ground hard on landing, collapsing the right main landing gear.
Event Overview
During a visual flight rules (VFR) departure, the cabin door on the right side of the airplane came open. The pilot, who was occupying the left seat at the time, decided to return to the airport for landing.
Return and Landing
The altitude that had been reached when the door opened was maintained throughout a modified traffic pattern as the pilot flew back to the airport. During the landing sequence, the airplane made hard contact with the ground, causing the right main landing gear to collapse.
Outcome
No further details were provided regarding the extent of damage or injuries. The incident remains documented as a hard landing with collapse of the right main landing gear following an in-flight door opening.