History of Flight
On March 26, 2008, at 1220 mountain standard time, a Hawker Beechcraft Corporation 1900D, registration N261GL, operating as Great Lakes Airlines flight 5187, made an emergency landing at Page Municipal Airport, Page, Arizona, after the cargo door opened during takeoff. The flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 121 and was destined for Four Corners Regional Airport, Farmington, New Mexico. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and an instrument flight rules flight plan was filed.
According to the airline’s Director of Safety, the cargo door opened just after takeoff. The flight crew returned uneventfully to the airport and landed. The crew reported that the cargo door light was not illuminated prior to departure.
The captain stated that 5 to 10 seconds after rotation, the cargo door annunciator light illuminated. Before the emergency checklist could be consulted, the door opened, accompanied by increased noise. The captain assumed control from the first officer and landed uneventfully.
Personnel Information
The captain held an airline transport pilot certificate with single- and multi-engine land and instrument ratings, and a first-class medical certificate issued in November 2007 with no restrictions. The company reported 3,000 total flight hours, including 2,228 hours in the Beech 1900, with 258 hours in the previous 90 days. The captain completed a company line check ride on June 3, 2007.
The first officer held a commercial pilot certificate with single- and multi-engine land and instrument ratings, and a first-class medical certificate issued in October 2006 with a limitation for corrective lenses. The company reported 2,190 total flight hours, including 1,085 hours in the Beech 1900, with 200 hours in the previous 90 days. The first officer completed a company line check ride on September 27, 2007.
Aircraft Information
The airplane was a twin-engine turboprop Beechcraft 1900D, serial number UE-261, manufactured in 1996 and registered to Great Lakes Aviation, Limited, Cheyenne, Wyoming. It had a capacity of 2 crew, 19 passengers, and baggage. The aircraft was maintained under an FAA-approved continuous airworthiness program. A routine inspection was performed on March 23, 2008, at 24,065.5 airframe hours.
The aft cargo door is located on the left side. If not closed and locked, a cockpit light illuminates. Post-incident testing of the door and indicator light revealed no anomalies.
Flight Recorders
The aircraft was equipped with a Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) and a Digital Flight Data Recorder (DFDR), both removed and sent to the NTSB for readout. A CVR Group reviewed the tape and produced a transcript. The recording showed that during checklists, the crew made personal comments and jokes. The first officer taxied and briefed the checklist; the captain commented on the first officer's taxi technique. Approximately 7 seconds after reaching takeoff safety speed (V2), increased wind noise was heard. The flight then returned to land.
Additional Findings
Interviews with management indicated the crew had no prior problems or discipline issues. The captain had been employed as captain for 2 years; the first officer for 2 years. Standard operating procedures require the taxi checklist to be called by one crewmember and verified by the other. Management stated the crew acted unprofessionally prior to the cargo door opening, with a lack of professionalism and failure to follow SOPs. A bulletin was released to stress sterile cockpit protocols and professionalism.
14 CFR Part 121.542 prohibits flight crew from engaging in activities during critical phases of flight that could distract or interfere with duties, including nonessential conversations. Critical phases include all ground operations involving taxi, takeoff, and landing, and flight below 10,000 feet except cruise.
The GLA Flight Standards Manual requires cargo compartment, cargo door annunciator check, and door security closure before engine start. The Before Takeoff checklist requires verification of annunciators by both crewmembers.