On October 29, 1997, a Champion 7ECA (registration N7505F) was involved in an aviation accident near Augusta, KS. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to ensure the safety pin was properly installed on the quick release hinge pins after the door was reinstalled, which led to the door separating in flight. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
The main entry door detached from the aircraft while in cruise flight, causing substantial damage to the right side of the fuselage due to an uninstalled safety pin.
What happened
During a cruise phase of flight, the main entry door separated completely from the airframe. The detachment resulted in substantial structural damage concentrated on the right side of the airplane. No injuries were reported among those aboard.
The investigation
A thorough examination of the aircraft revealed that the safety pin for the quick release hinge pins had not been installed. Records indicated that the owner had previously removed the door during the summer and had recently reinstalled it prior to the incident flight.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to ensure the safety pin was properly installed on the quick release hinge pins after the door was reinstalled, which led to the door separating in flight.