N2699Y

On August 31, 2008, a Fairchild SW3 (N2699Y) was involved in an incident near Carlsbad, NM. 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: Failure of the door to remain secure for undetermined reasons.

While en route to his destination, the 12,250-hour airline transport pilot experienced variations in the airplane's cabin pressure. The pilot removed his noise-cancelling headset and was able to detect an air leak from the area of the entrance door. Moments later, the airplane encountered turbulence and the door departed the airplane causing substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot declared an emergency and was able to land at the nearest suitable airfield. During his preflight inspection, the pilot, who reported 5,200 hours in make and model, secured the door "normally," but could not recall if he visually confirmed that the door was secured. The fuselage door frame did not display signs of deformation where the entrance door's bayonets seat into the door frame.

This incident is documented in NTSB report DFW08CA222. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N2699Y.