Incident Overview
On 1 February 1998, a Jodel D140B aircraft, registration G-AROW, departed from Runway 08R at Redhill Aerodrome. Shortly after takeoff, air traffic control personnel observed that the left-hand baggage hatch had opened. The pilot was informed and offered an immediate return to land on the reciprocal runway, 26L. With calm wind conditions, the pilot accepted, performed a 180-degree teardrop turn, and landed safely without experiencing any handling difficulties.
Hatch Detachment
The hatch became detached in flight and was later recovered from a nearby field. Inspection revealed that although the key-lock was in the 'locked-closed' position—having been locked by the pilot during pre-flight inspection—the locking bolt had not properly engaged with the sleeve plates attached to the fuselage upper longeron before being locked. The design intent is that when the hatch-mounted locking bolt is moved aft, its free ends engage into the sleeve plates on the upper longeron. The key lock then introduces a block to prevent the baulk pin on the locking bolt from moving forward.
Locking Mechanism Issue
Notably, there are no dowel pins to ensure accurate alignment of the locking pin with the holes in the sleeve plates. This absence means that secure closure of the hatch may fail to occur even when the locking bolt is moved fully aft. The locking bolt appeared not to have been engaged before locking, allowing the hatch to open in flight.
Aircraft and Pilot Details
The Jodel D140B, manufactured in 1961, was powered by a single Lycoming O-360-A2A piston engine. The private flight had only the pilot on board, who held an Airline Transport Pilot's Licence, aged 54, with 13,085 total flying hours (53 on type). No injuries were reported, and damage was limited to the rear fuselage baggage hatch being torn off and damaged, along with an upper fuselage skin split behind the cockpit.