Accident Summary
A private pilot, who was not instrument rated, filed an IFR flight plan and received clearance for a 337-nautical-mile flight. After departing from runway 12, at approximately 200 feet above ground level, the pilot reported that a door had opened in flight and that he was returning to the airport. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain about one mile from the approach end of runway 30.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the wreckage by FAA inspectors revealed that the baggage compartment door exhibited damage consistent with having been open during the flight. Physical evidence and ground signatures at the accident site indicated that the airplane impacted the ground at a high rate of descent and relatively low forward speed, with the landing gear and flaps extended.
Pilot Information
FAA records showed that the pilot had accumulated a total of 1,850 flight hours. However, the pilot's level of experience on the accident airplane could not be determined. The investigation disclosed that the 1982 model airplane had been purchased by the company four months prior to the accident. Despite multiple attempts to obtain a completed NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the pilot did not return the requested form.