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Casualties unknown

Baggage Door Opens After Liftoff, Airplane Collides with Light Pole (N9296K)

Wichita Falls, TX, US

On August 26, 1995, a Piper PA-32R-300 (registration N9296K) was involved in an aviation accident near Wichita Falls, TX. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while diverting attention to an open cargo door. A factor was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

Shortly after liftoff, the forward baggage door opened and vibrated. The pilot continued the takeoff. The airplane entered a steep climb with wings dipping, then struck a light pole and impacted vertically, coming to rest inverted. A postcrash fire consumed the fuselage.

Event Sequence

Shortly after liftoff, the airplane's forward baggage door opened and "stood straight up and vibrated vigorously." The pilot elected to continue the takeoff. Witnesses observed the airplane in a steep climb attitude, with the wings "dipping" from side to side, in a shallow left turn, at an altitude of approximately 50 feet. Approximately 1 mile south of the airport, the airplane collided with a light pole, impacted the ground in a vertical attitude, and came to rest inverted.

Pilot Statements

During an interview, the pilot reported that during the preflight he had taken a quart of oil from the forward baggage compartment to replenish the engine oil. He placed the empty oil container in the baggage compartment, shut the door, but did not lock it. In a written statement, the pilot reported that he locked the door.

Postcrash Examination

A postcrash fire consumed the fuselage and precluded examination of the baggage compartment and door.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 26 Aug 1995 Piper PA-32R-300 accident near Wichita Falls, TX?

Shortly after liftoff, the forward baggage door opened and vibrated. The pilot continued the takeoff. The airplane entered a steep climb with wings dipping, then struck a light pole and impacted vertically, coming to rest inverted. A postcrash fire consumed the fuselage.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 26 Aug 1995 involved a Piper PA-32R-300, registration N9296K, at Wichita Falls, TX.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed while diverting attention to an open cargo door. A factor was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001207X04227. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.