Rear Door Detaches from Diamond DA42 During Training Flight

Casualties unknown • FI

A rear door became completely detached from a Diamond DA42 during a training flight near Pori, Finland, forcing an emergency return to the aerodrome.

What happened

On August 19, 2022, a Diamond DA42, registration OH-DAN, was conducting a training flight near Pori, Finland. The crew consisted of a flight instructor and two students. During the climb to the training area, a student seated in the rear noticed that the rear door handle was not in the fully locked position.

As the crew attempted to rectify the situation by pressing the handle back into the locked position, the door began to separate from the aircraft. The instructor observed the door edge peeling away from the fuselage. During the attempt to close the door, the door became completely detached from the aircraft, tearing away its hinges and the gas spring mechanism. The instructor took control of the aircraft from the student pilot to stabilize the flight. A "DOOR OPEN" warning appeared on the multi-function display only after the door had already separated.

The instructor declared an emergency and requested a return to Pori. The aircraft landed safely at Pori aerodrome approximately 13 minutes after the incident. No injuries were reported, though the aircraft sustained damage to the hinge attachment points.

The investigation

The investigation examined the sequence of events, the mechanical failure of the door, and the effectiveness of the aircraft's warning systems. Investigators analyzed the door's structure, noting that the forward hinge had detached completely, while the rear hinge had broken in a way that left part of the hinge attached to the airframe. The investigation also reviewed the cockpit's Garmin G1000 avionics to determine why the warning system did not alert the crew before the door's separation.

Findings

  • The primary cause of the incident was the incomplete locking of the rear door.
  • The attempt to close the partially open door while in flight caused the door to tear away from its hinges.
  • The aircraft's warning system failed to provide an alert prior to the structural failure of the door.
  • The door's locking mechanism requires specific care and precision to ensure it is fully engaged, a task that is more demanding on the DA40 and DA42 models compared to other aircraft types.

Probable cause

The rear door of the aircraft was not fully secured in the locked position, and the subsequent attempt to close the door during flight caused it to detach from the airframe.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2022-08-19 aircraft accident near FI?

A rear door became completely detached from a Diamond DA42 during a training flight near Pori, Finland, forcing an emergency return to the aerodrome.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2022-08-19 involved a aircraft, registration OH-DAN, at FI.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The rear door of the aircraft was not fully secured in the locked position, and the subsequent attempt to close the door during flight caused it to detach from the airframe.

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