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Casualties unknown

Cabin Door Opens During Cruise Flight; Pilot Loses Control and Airplane Impacts Ground (N333PE)

Anza, CA, US

On March 14, 2001, a Piper PA-23-160 (registration N333PE) was involved in an aviation accident near Anza, CA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cabin door opened because it would not lock due to improperly installed upholstery. 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 2026-06-10Data APIEditorial standards

During cruise flight, the cabin door of a twin-engine airplane opened, leading to loss of control. The airplane entered a descending right turn, and the pilot shut down engines and feathered propellers before impacting a field. The door failed due to improperly installed upholstery; the pilot did not have a mechanic inspect the modification.

Accident Sequence

During cruise flight, the cabin door of a twin-engine airplane opened unexpectedly. The private pilot subsequently lost control of the airplane. The airplane then entered a descending right turn. As ground impact became imminent, the pilot shut down both engines and feathered the propellers. The airplane impacted the ground in a field shortly thereafter.

Investigation Findings

According to FAA inspectors, the door would not lock due to improperly installed upholstery. The improper installation prevented the locking mechanism from functioning correctly. The pilot/owner reported that he did not get a certificated mechanic to inspect and sign off on the upholstery modification.

Probable cause

The cabin door opened because it would not lock due to improperly installed upholstery.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20010316X00595. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.