Unlatched baggage door causes in-flight incident in Piper Seneca

Casualties unknown • 1.5 miles north-east of Oxford (Kidlington) Airport, Oxon, GB

A training flight involving a Piper PA-34-200T Seneca experienced an in-flight emergency after the nose baggage bay door became detached during takeoff.

What happened

On 11 February 2005, a Piper PA-3t4-200T Seneca, registration G-BHYG, was conducting a scheduled IFR training flight from Oxford (Kidlington) Airport. The crew consisted of an instructor, a student pilot, and a supernumerary student. Following a delayed start due to aircraft allocation and the need to replenish engine oil, the aircraft departed Runway 01 at 0747 hrs.

During the initial climb, the nose baggage bay door on the left side of the aircraft opened fully. The instructor, occupying the right-hand seat, observed that the external rotary handle was in the vertical, unlatched position. As the flight continued, the door began to flap violently, eventually becoming partially detached and obstructing the view for the student pilot in the left-hand seat. The instructor declared a PAN and successfully performed an emergency landing. The aircraft sustained damage to the left propeller after the door struck it, and the door's seal was found wrapped around the OAT probe.

The investigation

Investigators examined the mechanism of the upward-opening fiberglass door, which uses a rotary handle to extend shoot bolts and a hook into the door frame. It was noted that because the door's center of gravity is located outboard of the hinge line, the door can sit flush with the fuselage even when unlatched, creating the appearance of being secure.

While the door's lock and key are designed with mechanical interlocks to prevent the key from being removed unless the door is locked, evidence suggested that wear in the lock mechanism could allow the key to be withdrawn while the latch was still open. The investigation found no evidence of structural distress to the door frame or the latching components on the aircraft, suggesting the door was simply not secured before departure.

Findings

  • The nose baggage bay door was not latched prior to takeoff.
  • The crew was operating under time pressure to meet a scheduled ILS arrival slot at Cranfield.
  • Potential fatigue was noted regarding the supernumerary student, who had been awake since the early hours of the morning.
  • The door's design allowed it to appear closed even when the handle was in the unlatched position.

Probable cause

The primary cause of the incident was the failure to ensure the nose baggage bay door was properly latched before departure, likely exacerbated by time pressure and the door's ability to appear flush even when unsecure.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2005-02-11 Piper PA-34-200T Seneca accident near 1.5 miles north-east of Oxford (Kidlington) Airport, Oxon, GB?

A training flight involving a Piper PA-34-200T Seneca experienced an in-flight emergency after the nose baggage bay door became detached during takeoff.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2005-02-11 involved a Piper PA-34-200T Seneca, registration G-BHYG, at 1.5 miles north-east of Oxford (Kidlington) Airport, Oxon, GB.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The primary cause of the incident was the failure to ensure the nose baggage bay door was properly latched before departure, likely exacerbated by time pressure and the door's ability to appear flush even when unsecure.

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