What happened
Following a routine preflight, an aircraft departed the airport and began its climb. Shortly after liftoff, the right cowl door partially opened and began flapping. In an attempt to manage the door, the pilot reduced engine torque. As the aircraft transitioned to a left crosswind leg, the cowl door opened fully. The aircraft subsequently lost the ability to maintain altitude despite the application of full power. The pilot lowered the nose, and the aircraft struck trees before pancaking and sliding into the yard of an abandoned building.
The accident resulted in one fatality and several injuries, with two passengers sustaining serious injuries. One of the seriously injured passengers died approximately 227 days after the event.
Findings
Investigation of the wreckage showed no mechanical or engine failures that would have prevented normal flight. However, it was determined that the right access door had been left unlatched prior to takeoff. This door provided access to the fuel control unit and other critical components. Furthermore, the battery charging port cover had not been secured, suggesting the preflight inspection was incomplete. The pilot was using a checklist intended for simulator training rather than the manufacturer's official procedures, and the actual Pilot's Operating Handbook was stored in an inaccessible location.
Data from the avionics system indicated that the pilot's attention was likely diverted by the malfunctioning cowl door. During a left turn, the bank angle reached approximately 45 degrees, causing the airspeed to drop below the stall speed due to the increased load factor. Additionally, while the pilot believed the landing gear had been retracted, the gear remained in the down and locked position, creating excess drag that further hindered the aircraft's performance.