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3 fatalities

Pilot Reported Open Baggage Door Before Accident; Three Killed (N818AN)

Las Vegas-Harry Reid (McCarran), United States of AmericaTakeoff (climb)

On July 12, 1993, a Cessna 402 (registration N818AN) operated by Air Nevada was involved in an aviation accident near Las Vegas-Harry Reid (McCarran), United States of America during takeoff. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. A factor which contributed to the accident was the pilot's failure to assure that the nose baggage compartment door was secured. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered N818AN
Aircraft registered N818AN. Photo: redlegsfan21 from Vandalia, OH, United States / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

After a short turnaround, the pilot reported an open baggage door shortly after takeoff. The airplane entered a right turn, descended, and hit the ground nose-first. All three occupants were killed.

Accident Sequence

The pilot had a 25-minute turnaround for the accident trip from the prior flight. No witnesses observed the pilot preparing for the flight or performing a preflight inspection. Company procedures specify that pilots are responsible for loading and unloading baggage. The manifest for the prior flight showed 54 lbs of baggage in the nose compartment.

Shortly after liftoff, the pilot told the local controller that the baggage door was open and requested a go-around. The local controller instructed the pilot to make right traffic. Multiple witnesses saw the airplane in a nose-high attitude during the initial climb after takeoff. They reported that the pilot entered a right turn which continued until the airplane fell to the ground and hit nose-first. An airline pilot witness stated that the airplane's actions were a classic VMC roll. Other witnesses reported that the left nose baggage compartment door was open during the takeoff and initial climb.

Evidence

Evidence shows that the right engine was developing little or no power. All three occupants were killed.

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering in the traffic pattern. A factor which contributed to the accident was the pilot's failure to assure that the nose baggage compartment door was secured.
Loss of control in flight

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