History of Flight
On January 26, 2024, at about 0726 eastern standard time, a Beech C99, registration N53RP, operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 135 on-demand cargo flight, was substantially damaged when it collided with wooded terrain near Londonderry, New Hampshire. The commercial pilot was seriously injured.
The airplane had departed Manchester Boston Regional Airport (MHT), Manchester, New Hampshire, at 0710, destined for Presque Isle International Airport (PQI), Presque Isle, Maine. Immediately after takeoff, the airplane broadcast an emergency transponder code. For approximately 16 minutes, the airplane flew erratically while air traffic control (ATC) attempted to establish radio contact. It then collided with wooded terrain about 5 miles south of MHT.
Due to his serious injuries, the pilot was initially unable to provide a statement. However, about three months after the accident, on April 15, 2024, he made himself available for an FAA inspector interview.
During the interview, the pilot reported that before the flight he had checked that the pilot door was latched by shining his flashlight down both holes to verify the latches were on the pins. During the initial climb, he heard a loud pop. The pilot door appeared partially open, so he grabbed it with his left hand. The door then opened completely while he was still holding it, injuring his left hand. He reached up with his right hand and held the door with both hands but began to be pulled out of his seat; he let go, and shortly after, the door completely departed the airplane.
The pilot stated that while the door was open, his headset was violently pulled off and the earcups detached. After the door departed, the airplane experienced a series of unusual attitudes that occurred about four or five times during the flight. He set the transponder code to 7700 and attempted an emergency radio transmission sometime after the door departed. He also attempted to maneuver the airplane to set up for a downwind leg to runway 35 at MHT. He added that he tried to fly at 1,800 ft. After flying the downwind leg, he attempted another turn but experienced a final unusual attitude, which was the last thing he remembered before impact.
Meteorological Information
The recorded weather at MHT at 0748 included visibility of 3 miles in rain and mist, a broken ceiling at 1,000 ft, and an overcast ceiling at 2,400 ft.
Wreckage and Impact Information
The debris path began with a damaged fiber optic line about 75 ft high and extended on a magnetic course of 140° for about 200 ft through wooded terrain. The right aileron was found near the beginning of the debris path, suspended in a tree. The airplane came to rest upright, oriented south, at the end of the debris path.
The airplane's left (pilot) side cockpit door/hatch was subsequently found in a residential yard about 10 miles north of the main wreckage. Additionally, the airplane was equipped with a portable ladder for pilot entry, which secured to the fuselage under the cockpit door/hatch. This ladder was supposed to be stowed inside the cockpit before takeoff. It was found outside and aft of the cockpit, resting against the left engine nacelle. The fuselage remained intact with both wing roots attached and the empennage partially attached. There was a hole in the upper left side of the cockpit where the door/hatch had separated.
The empennage had partially separated from the main wreckage and was canted right. The left horizontal stabilizer and elevator remained attached. The outboard section of the right horizontal stabilizer had separated and was found about the midpoint of the debris path. The right elevator had also separated and was found near the right horizontal stabilizer. The upper section of the vertical stabilizer separated and was found near the midpoint of the debris path. The rudder remained attached. The horizontal stabilizer trim actuator was found in a neutral position. The rudder trim actuator extended beyond the limit left deflection.
Both wings separated outboard of the engine nacelles. The right wing fragmented into small sections along the debris path. The outboard section of the left wing remained intact, with aileron attached, and was found aft of the empennage. Measurement of the flap actuators corresponded to a flaps retracted setting. The aileron trim actuator, located in the left wing, was found in a neutral position.
All three landing gear remained attached and were in the retracted position. The cockpit was crushed, but the pilot seats and harnesses (3-point, dual shoulder harness) remained intact. The left throttle lever was in the aft position; the right throttle lever and both propeller levers were in the forward position. All flight control cable continuity was confirmed from their respective flight control surfaces to the cockpit, with multiple broomstraw cable separations.
The wreckage was further examined at a recovery facility. The left side cockpit hatch/door and portable ladder were staged during wreckage examination for orientation purposes. The left side cockpit door/hatch handle (inside and outside) operated normally when moved by hand.