Accident Overview
A twin-engine cargo airplane operating as flight WIG1046 crashed in a forest near Londonderry, New Hampshire, approximately 8 kilometers south of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. The accident occurred 16 minutes after departure, at about 0710 local time. The pilot was seriously injured, and the aircraft was destroyed.
Sequence of Events
The flight departed from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport's Runway 06, destined for Presque Isle. Weather conditions at the time included visibility of 3 miles in rain and mist, a broken ceiling at 1,000 feet, and an overcast ceiling at 2,400 feet.
During the initial climb, the pilot heard a loud pop and noticed the left door or hatch appeared partially open. He grabbed it with his left hand, but the door then opened completely, 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 separated from the airplane.
Following the door departure, the airplane experienced a series of unusual attitudes as the pilot attempted to return to the departure airport. The pilot reported not remembering anything after the last unusual attitude. The aircraft eventually entered a right turn and crashed in a forest near Londonderry. The cockpit door was found 16 kilometers from the main wreckage.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause of the accident was the pilot’s failure to ensure that the cockpit door was secured before flight, which resulted in its separation during initial climb and a subsequent loss of control.