Accident Details
On a cargo flight from Stauning Airport to Manchester, a twin-engine aircraft departed at 0000LT with two pilots on board. After takeoff from runway 27 during initial climb by night, the crew declared an emergency after the main cabin door opened. The captain reduced power on both engines, and the aircraft crash-landed on the Klægbanke, less than 4 km from the airport. Both pilots were rescued an hour later and were uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the main cabin door opened during initial climb because the crew failed to ensure it was properly closed.
Contributing Factors
Several factors were identified in the investigation. The door locking mechanism was not properly adjusted. The crew did not identify the abnormal situation. The captain immediately reduced power on both engines when the door opened. The captain was not properly trained for this type of flight. The operator did not ensure that the crew was qualified and trained to perform the flight. The crew failed to follow the pre-departure checklist. Additionally, the crew's attention was focused on the door that opened at a critical moment of the flight, and they failed to continue the flight and monitor the various instruments.