Summary
On June 21, 1997, a Cessna 206 (N756DJ) was involved in an incident near Prudhoe Bay, AK. All 1 person aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's improper preflight inspection of the airplane and failure to properly secure the baggage door.
On June 20, 1997, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N756DJ, operated by Warbelow's Air Adventures as a scheduled commuter flight under 14 CFR Part 135, sustained substantial damage while descending to land at the Deadhorse Airport, Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. The flight departed Nuiqsut, Alaska, and was en route to Prudhoe Bay. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed.
According to the operator, the pilot was flying a scheduled commuter flight route with cargo only aboard.
This incident is documented in NTSB report ANC97LA088. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N756DJ.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's improper preflight inspection of the airplane and failure to properly secure the baggage door.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On June 20, 1997, about 1600 Alaska daylight time, a wheel equipped Cessna 206 airplane, N756DJ, operated by Warbelow's Air Adventures as a scheduled commuter flight under 14 CFR Part 135, sustained substantial damage while descending to land at the Deadhorse Airport, Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The solo airline transport pilot was not injured. The flight departed Nuiqsut, Alaska, and was en route to Prudhoe Bay. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a VFR flight plan was filed.
According to the operator, the pilot was flying a scheduled commuter flight route with cargo only aboard. When the pilot reduced engine power and begin to descend for a landing at the Deadhorse Airport, the aft cargo door opened and slammed against the side of the fuselage, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot continued to Prudhoe Bay, and made an uneventful landing.
The pilot wrote in his report to the NTSB that he thought he had latched and locked the door, but realized when the door opened that he had not secured it properly.
Postaccident inspection of the airplane by FAA inspectors at Fairbanks, Alaska, disclosed damage to fuselage formers and stringers. The door latching mechanism was also examined and found to function satisfactorily, with no observed mechanical deficiencies.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ANC97LA088