# Accident 20090515047189A: Piper PA-32-301, Eagle River, AK, May 15, 2009

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: May 15, 2009, 15:45 local time
- Place: Eagle River, AK
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Operator: K1IC
- Location: 61.4161° N, 149.5083° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=61.4161&lon=-149.5083&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8374T, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8374T) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Piper PA-32-301 (registry code 7103207, https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-32-301) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming IO-540 series (registry code 41530, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-32-301
- Reported engine: LYCOMING IO-540 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Airline transport, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 0 total, 2,000 in this make and model, 0 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB ANC09CA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA048) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090515047189A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

TELEPHONE INTERVIEW WITH PILOT ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^ ABOUT AFT CARGO DOOR TOP LEAVING AIRCRAFT IN FLIGHT SEE ATTACHED PILOT NARRATIVE.   IT APPEARS THE J HOOK WAS NOT MAKING PROPER CONTACT WITH THE UPPER LOOP AND THE TOP OF THE DOOR POPPED OUT INTO THE WIND STREAM AND BROKE OFF.  SEE ATTACHED PICTURES AND PART DIAGRAMS FROM PIPER.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB ANC09CA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC09CA048), May 16, 2009: Piper PA-32-301 (N8374T), Birchwood, AK, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of maintenance personnel to properly maintain the cargo door latch, resulting in an in-flight opening and separation of the cargo door, and substantial damage to the horizontal stabilator…

## Other reports on N8374T (3)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20130428006779I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130428006779I), Apr 28, 2013: Piper PA-32-301 (N8374T), Ekwok, AK, No damage. Aircraft was en-route from dillingham, AK to anchorage, AK in VFR weather, with the pilot and 1 passenger. The aircraft was operating under 14 CFR 91. A…
- [Accident 19960302047529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960302047529A), Mar 2, 1996: Piper PA32301 (N8374T), Nome, AK, Substantial damage. (-16) Pilot continued flight into white-out conditions and hit a snow covered 1150 ft mountain near the top.
- [Accident 19921204049499A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921204049499A), Dec 4, 1992: Piper PA32301 (N8374T), Scammon Bay, AK, Substantial damage. Struck snow covered ground while circling area to find airport. Tore off nose and left main gear. Blamed whiteout.

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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