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Cargo Door Opens in Flight on Boeing 757-236 PCF near Leipzig

nahe Leipzig, DE

On February 13, 2021, a Boeing Company 757-236 PCF was involved in an aviation accident near nahe Leipzig, DE. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The serious incident is due to the fact that the cargo door was closed but not completely locked and secured and this condition was not indicated on the control panel or in the cockpit. Also from the outside this condition was not apparent. This summary draws on records from the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU).

Sourcesthe German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU)Primary reportUpdated 2026-10-11Data APIEditorial standards

A Boeing 757-236 PCF freighter experienced an unplanned cargo door opening during initial climb near Leipzig. The door was closed but not properly locked, and the condition was not indicated. No injuries occurred; the aircraft sustained light damage.

Event Description

On 13 February 2021, a Boeing 757-236 PCF cargo aircraft departed Leipzig/Halle Airport en route to Frankfurt am Main. During the initial climb, the aircraft's main cargo door opened spontaneously. The flight crew declared an emergency and returned to the departure airport. No persons were injured, and the aircraft sustained light damage. There was no third-party damage.

Investigation Findings

Examination of the cargo door system revealed that the door had been closed but was not fully latched and locked. A critical finding was that the incomplete locking state was not displayed on the cargo door control panel in the cockpit nor by any external visual indication. The aircraft's flight data recorder and other systems were analyzed. Testing showed that under the prevailing environmental conditions—low temperatures and freezing precipitation—ice accumulation could affect the latching mechanism, preventing proper engagement of the latch hooks and locking pins. Additionally, the microswitches that detect the locked positions may have been compromised by ice, failing to provide the expected indications.

Probable Cause

According to the German Federal Bureau of Aircraft Accident Investigation (BFU), the serious incident was caused by the cargo door being closed but not completely locked and secured, with this condition not indicated on the control panel or in the cockpit, nor apparent from outside. Consequently, the door opened spontaneously during initial climb.

Contributing Factors

The investigation identified contributing factors: unfavorable environmental conditions with low temperatures and freezing precipitation, which likely led to ice formation on the locking mechanism. This ice interfered with the proper engagement of the latch hooks and the correct signaling of the door's status.

Conclusions

The BFU concluded that the incident resulted from a combination of incomplete locking and the failure of the indication system to reveal the unsafe state. The presence of icing conditions exacerbated the situation. No safety recommendations were issued in the report.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 13 Feb 2021 Boeing Company 757-236 PCF accident near nahe Leipzig, DE?

A Boeing 757-236 PCF freighter experienced an unplanned cargo door opening during initial climb near Leipzig. The door was closed but not properly locked, and the condition was not indicated. No injuries occurred; the aircraft sustained light damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 13 Feb 2021 Boeing Company 757-236 PCF accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 13 Feb 2021 involved a Boeing Company 757-236 PCF, at nahe Leipzig, DE.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The serious incident is due to the fact that the cargo door was closed but not completely locked and secured and this condition was not indicated on the control panel or in the cockpit. Also from the outside this condition was not apparent. In the following, the cargo door opened spontaneously during initial climb.

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