What happened
During the initial climb phase following departure from Logan-Cache Airport, the front left cargo door of the aircraft became unlatched. The door subsequently detached from the fuselage and collided with the tail section of the plane. This impact resulted in a loss of flight control, forcing the pilot to perform an emergency crash landing in a field located beyond the end of the runway.
There were seven people on board during the incident. While all occupants sustained injuries, none were reported as fatalities; however, one individual suffered serious injuries.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary cause of the accident was the accidental opening of the front left cargo door while the aircraft was climbing. Several contributing factors were identified during the analysis:
- Structural issues involving a broken support bar
- Evidence of material failure and pre-existing damage to the door assembly
- Environmental conditions characterized by a high density altitude of 6,000 feet