On November 27, 1997, a Piper PA-23-250 (registration N6933Y) was involved in an aviation accident near Carson City, NV. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed after being distracted by the nose baggage door opening in-flight resulting in a stall/spin. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
Witnesses observed an aircraft climb at an unusually steep angle after takeoff, stall, roll left, and spin into a hangar. A baggage door was seen open during the roll.
Overview
Witnesses reported that the aircraft's engines sounded normal as the aircraft climbed at an unusually steep angle after takeoff to about 300 feet above ground level. The aircraft then stalled, rolled to the left, and spun into a hangar.
Witness Accounts
One witness reported that as the aircraft rolled over, the nose baggage door on the right side of the nose was open and folded back in front of the windshield as the aircraft continued to roll.
Pilot Experience
The pilot had accumulated 487 hours of total flying time, including 23 hours in multiengine aircraft. He had received an 8.6-hour checkout in the accident aircraft two weeks prior to the accident.
What happened in the 27 Nov 1997 Piper PA-23-250 accident near Carson City, NV?
Witnesses observed an aircraft climb at an unusually steep angle after takeoff, stall, roll left, and spin into a hangar. A baggage door was seen open during the roll.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 27 Nov 1997 involved a Piper PA-23-250, registration N6933Y, at Carson City, NV.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The failure of the pilot to maintain airspeed after being distracted by the nose baggage door opening in-flight resulting in a stall/spin. Factors contributing to the accident were the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and lack of experience in the type aircraft.
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