Incident Overview
A commercial pilot was conducting a takeoff when the nose cargo door unexpectedly popped open. Distracted by this event, the pilot lost control of the airplane, which stalled and subsequently collided with trees located beyond the end of the runway.
Pilot Account
The pilot stated that there were no mechanical problems with the airplane or its engines. He explained that he became fixated on the cargo door and, as a result, lost control. Additionally, he noted that due to stress, he was not mentally prepared to handle the emergency situation.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be: The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control on takeoff, which resulted in an inadvertent stall. Contributing to the accident were the unlatched nose cargo door, the pilot’s diverted attention, and the pilot's mental ability to handle the emergency situation.