Accident Summary
Before takeoff, the pilot was informed of wind shear, with centerfield winds reported as 270° at 25 knots gusting to 46 knots and northwest boundary winds as 280° at 13 knots. During takeoff, the pilot reported an open door and requested to return to land. The aircraft turned left and descended to the ground. The pilot, the sole occupant, was killed.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft did not disclose evidence of malfunction. Inspection of the doors revealed that the right-side cargo door securing mechanisms were relatively undamaged. A flight test conducted to evaluate the effects of an open door found that the door would open and remain open during rotation, resulting in noise and vibration but no abnormal flight characteristics or significant change in multi-engine climb performance.
Another pilot landing a jet aircraft prior to the accident reported moderate turbulence, with plus or minus 10 to 15 knots change in airspeed from 2,000 feet MSL to the surface.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause attributes the accident to: Occurrence #1 (miscellaneous/other) involving a fire from the cargo door and inadequate preflight planning by the pilot; Occurrence #2 (loss of control in flight) due to windshear and unfavorable wind conditions, with the pilot failing to maintain airspeed, being inattentive, and inadvertently stalling; and Occurrence #3 (on ground/water encounter with terrain).