# NTSB investigations: Passenger/crew doors NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. Page 1 of 2 · 86 cases ## Latest cases - [NTSB ERA26LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA292.md): Extra Flugzeugproduktions-Und EA 300/LT · Whitehouse, OH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 4, 2026 · N330SB · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to ensure the canopy was properly locked before flight, which resulted in the canopy opening during takeoff. - [NTSB CEN26LA205](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN26LA205.md): Vans RV4 · Conroe, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · May 13, 2026 · N292M · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to properly latch the canopy before flight, which led to the canopy opening shortly after takeoff. - [NTSB ERA26LA085](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA26LA085.md): Burkhart Grob Luft UND Raumfah G103 Twin Astir Trai · Brownsboro, AL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 26, 2025 · N103T · Substantial damage > The flight instructor’s failure to properly lock the rear canopy prior to flight, which led to the canopy opening during aerotow at low altitude, and a subsequent off-airport landing in a corn field. - [NTSB WPR25LA110](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA110.md): Robinson Helicopter R44 II · Las Vegas, NV · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 10, 2025 · N44KY · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of helicopter control after the door opened during takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to confirm that the door was properly closed before departure. - [NTSB ERA25LA070](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA070.md): William M Clapp CLAPP-SABERWING · Valdosta, GA · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Dec 7, 2024 · N100SW · Substantial damage > A hard landing and subsequent gear collapse due to the pilot’s failure to securely close the airplane canopy and its subsequent opening on short final. - [NTSB ERA25LA063](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA25LA063.md): Holtz Rodney R Challenger II · Concord, NH · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Nov 20, 2024 · N1666R · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control and eventual stall/mush of the airplane while trying to secure an open door in flight. - [NTSB ERA24FA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA154.md): Mooney M20K · St. Augustine, FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Mar 25, 2024 · N4387W · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed of the airplane while in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing was the pilot’s distraction due to the in-flight opening of the main cabin door, which resulted from the… - [NTSB ERA24FA097](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24FA097.md): Beech C99 · Londonderry, NH · Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Jan 26, 2024 · N53RP · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to ensure that the cockpit door was secured before flight, which resulted in its separation during initial climb and a subsequent loss of control. - [NTSB CEN23FA359](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23FA359.md): Vans RV14 · Virden, IL · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Aug 12, 2023 · N6161 · Substantial damage > The pilot/builder’s improper configuration of the canopy latch micro switch, which incorrectly signaled a closed canopy before flight that resulted in an inflight opening of the airplane’s canopy, an upset of the airplane, and a loss of control from which the… - [NTSB ERA23LA013](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA013.md): Schempp-Hirth Discus CS · Woodstock, VA · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 8, 2022 · N520RJ · Substantial damage > Improper repair of a crack by maintenance personnel, which resulted in a subsequent failure of the glider canopy. - [NTSB CEN23LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN23LA003.md): Embraer S A EMB-545 · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Oct 3, 2022 · N179SP · Substantial damage > The crew failed to ensure the main entry door was locked before departure. Contributing to the accident was a corroded/jammed door sensor that provided an erroneous locked indication to the crew alerting system. - [NTSB ERA22LA352](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA352.md): Cirrus Design SR20 · Nixon, PA · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Aug 3, 2022 · N459BT · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while landing, resulting in a runway excursion. Contributing to the outcome was the pilot’s failure to ensure that the airplane’s right side door was properly secured prior to departing on the accident… - [NTSB WPR22FA048](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR22FA048.md): Zenith Zodiac CH601XL · Temecula, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report · Nov 23, 2021 · N601KS · Destroyed > The failure of the airplane’s canopy latch system, which resulted in the canopy opening in flight and a loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of a secondary canopy latch as recommended by the kit manufacturer. - [NTSB ERA21LA247](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA21LA247.md): Garrison Ronald L Zodiac 601 XL · Cumberland, MD · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Jun 8, 2021 · N315SV · Substantial damage > An inadvertent release of the canopy, which allowing the canopy to open during flight and led to an inflight loss of airplane control. Contributing to the accident was the lack of any safeguard to prevent the inadvertent opening of the canopy. - [NTSB WPR21LA142](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21LA142.md): Davis Dan B Lancair Evolution · Phoenix, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Mar 18, 2021 · N469KS · Substantial damage > A malfunction of the main cabin door latching mechanism for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. - [NTSB ANC20LA089](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC20LA089.md): Eurocopter AS 350 · Fort Greely, AK · Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report · Sep 6, 2020 · N354PA · Substantial damage > Failure of the door lock due to interference between the door and a cargo box. - [NTSB ERA20CA303](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA20CA303.md): Zenith CH601 · Punta Gorda, FL · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Data collection · Final report · Aug 29, 2020 · N354DM · Substantial damage > An inadvertent opening of the airplane’s canopy on takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and runway excursion. - [NTSB GAA19CA266](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA266.md): Ryan John Steffey Subsonex · Latrobe, PA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 14, 2019 · N224P · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain pitch control while attempting to secure the canopy, which opened shortly after takeoff and resulted in the airplane impacting the ground and the main landing gear collapsing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's… - [NTSB GAA19CA372](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA372.md): Cessna T206 · Porterville, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Apr 29, 2019 · N189JC · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to verify that the rear cargo portion of the right cabin door was adequately secured before flight, which resulted in both portions of the door opening in flight and substantial damage to the fuselage. - [NTSB GAA18CA544](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA544.md): Halladay Roy Lockheed · Denver, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 9, 2018 · N514RH · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to verify that the emergency canopy release was in the correct position when opening the canopy during landing, which resulted in the canopy separating from the airplane and subsequently impacting the empennage. - [NTSB WPR18TA239](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR18TA239.md): Eurocopter EC130 · Hilo, HI · Accident · Minor injuries · Class 3 · Final report · Aug 19, 2018 · N11QP · Substantial damage > The separation of the left sliding door in flight after it opened for reasons that could not be determined based on the available evidence, which resulted in damage to the main rotor blades. - [NTSB GAA18CA104](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA104.md): Geldermann Bert E Lancair Legacy · Friday Harbor, WA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Jan 15, 2018 · N145JG · Substantial damage > The pilot’s inability to maintain the landing flare, which resulted in the airplane landing hard short of the runway. Contributing to the accident was the cockpit canopy opening in flight. - [NTSB GAA18CA077](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA077.md): Czech Sport Aircraft a.s. Sport Cruiser · Sacramento, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Dec 9, 2017 · N227US · Destroyed > The pilot’s improper landing flare, which resulted in a hard landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to securely lock the canopy before takeoff. - [NTSB CEN17FA334](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA334.md): Vans RV-12 · Fishers, IN · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 31, 2017 · N212ZF · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to latch the canopy before takeoff, and his failure to maintain pitch control following the in-flight opening of the canopy during the initial climb resulting in a subsequent impact with terrain and ground fire. - [NTSB GAA17CA489](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA489.md): Cessna 170 · Axtell, KS · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 11, 2017 · N4189V · Substantial damage > The pilot's exceedance of the airplane's critical angle of attack during a go-around. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's decision to attempt to close a passenger door during a critical phase of flight. - [NTSB GAA17CA344](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA344.md): Eurocopter EC130 · Peach Springs, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 25, 2017 · N153GC · Substantial damage > The ground crewman’s failure to hold onto the passenger door while the main rotor was still rotating, which resulted in the door separating from the helicopter and damaging the main rotor. - [NTSB WPR17LA116](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR17LA116.md): Extra Flugzeugbau EA 300/S · Pendelton, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 20, 2017 · N68PW · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to follow checklists to ensure the canopy was secured before takeoff. - [NTSB GAA17CA272](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA272.md): John Murphy JSX-2 · Chesterfield, MO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 7, 2017 · N458V · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to ensure that the canopy was properly secured before takeoff, which resulted in an unstable landing flare and hard landing. - [NTSB CEN17FA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA035.md): Stamper RV-10 · Dubois, WY · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Nov 5, 2016 · N924WY · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after becoming distracted by the opening of the gull-wing cabin door during takeoff, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at a low… - [NTSB GAA17CA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA046.md): Cirrus SR22 · Kirksville, MO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Oct 23, 2016 · N528HB · Substantial damage > The pilot’s improper compensation for changing wind during the landing flare, which resulted in an off-centered landing and a subsequent loss of directional control. - [NTSB CEN16LA329](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA329.md): Collins RV6A · Pekin, IL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 18, 2016 · N576RV · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to latch the canopy before takeoff, and his subsequent distraction and failure to maintain control while attempting to close the open canopy, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. - [NTSB GAA16CA430](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA430.md): Pzl-Swidnik PW 6U · Llano, CA · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 14, 2016 · N212EC · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to properly secure the two aft canopy latches during the preflight inspection, which resulted in the canopy separating from the glider during the takeoff roll and substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. - [NTSB ERA16LA274](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA274.md): Alisport Silent 2 Targa · London, KY · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2016 · N602SL · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to properly secure the right side of the canopy before takeoff, and an in-flight collision with trees while maneuvering with an open canopy. Contributing to the pilot's failure to properly secure the canopy was the lack of a visual… - [NTSB ERA16LA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA098.md): Eurocopter France EC 130 B4 · Shoals, WV · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jan 29, 2016 · N133HN · Substantial damage > The improper locking of the rear passenger door by the specialty nurse, which resulted in the door separating from the helicopter in flight. - [NTSB ERA16FA064](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16FA064.md): Beech A36 · Farmington, PA · Accident · 3 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Dec 11, 2015 · N72054 · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane after a cabin door came open in flight, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's misuse of… - [NTSB GAA16CA060](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA060.md): Beech 56 · Hudson, CO · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Nov 22, 2015 · N12WB · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing. Contributing to the accident was the distraction of the open cabin door. - [NTSB WPR16LA023](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR16LA023.md): Thorp T 18 · Independence, OR · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 2015 · N1488 · Substantial damage > A separation of the canopy mechanism during flight, which resulted in the pilot’s precautionary landing and the airplane’s subsequent collision with a fence post. - [NTSB GAA15CA295](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA295.md): Beech V35B · Houston, TX · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Sep 30, 2015 · N800JT · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to properly secure the cabin door prior to takeoff, resulting in the door opening during takeoff, an aborted takeoff, runway overrun, and collision with terrain. - [NTSB CEN15FA386](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15FA386.md): Barrow Ted A ONE Easy · Battle Creek, MI · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 28, 2015 · N227TB · Destroyed > The pilot’s loss of airplane control due to his diverted attention to the canopy opening in flight. - [NTSB ERA15LA292](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA292.md): Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 Westwind Astra · Baltimore, MD · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 24, 2015 · N765A · Substantial damage > The flight crew's failure to visually ensure that the cabin door locking pin was in place before takeoff. - [NTSB ERA15FA245](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15FA245.md): Czech Sport Piper Sport · Holly Ridge, NC · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 21, 2015 · N35EP · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control after the cockpit canopy opened during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to securely lock the canopy before takeoff. - [NTSB ERA15LA130](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA130.md): Robertson James F Velocity STD/RG E · Sebastian, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Feb 13, 2015 · N112TH · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of airplane control after takeoff, which resulted in collision with terrain. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly secure the cabin door and trim the airplane for takeoff, which resulted in the cabin door opening… - [NTSB ERA15LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA087.md): MDS Fying Zenith Zodiac CH 650 · Fort Pierce, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 30, 2014 · N419PE · Substantial damage > The inadequate modification of the airplane’s canopy latching mechanism, which resulted in the inadvertent opening of the canopy while on final approach to land and a subsequent loss of pitch control. - [NTSB CEN15TA035](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN15TA035.md): Bell UH1H · San Isidro, TX · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Oct 23, 2014 · N72595 · Substantial damage > The flight crew's failure to ensure that the sliding cabin door was properly secured before the flight. - [NTSB WPR14CA350](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA350.md): Schweizer SGS 1 34 · Marana, AZ · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · Aug 19, 2014 · N7628 · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to ensure the canopy was locked during the pre-takeoff inspection which led to the canopy opening in flight and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the subsequent landing. - [NTSB ERA14LA223](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA223.md): Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm BK 117 · Hamburg, NY · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 4, 2014 · N504TJ · Substantial damage > Wear in the left cabin door assembly parts, which resulted in the door partially opening in flight, dislodging from the lower door track assembly, and then separating from the helicopter. - [NTSB ERA14LA218](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA218.md): Beech V35B · Middlesboro, KY · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 2, 2014 · N702JS · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the landing approach due to his diverted attention to the partially opened main cabin door and the unsecured dog. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to securely latch the main cabin… - [NTSB ERA14LA180](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14LA180.md): Helpling Helen C Tango 2 · Ocala, FL · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 4, 2014 · N599WT · Destroyed > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control after the left cockpit canopy opened during takeoff for reasons that could not be determined due to fire damage. - [NTSB CEN14LA087](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14LA087.md): Maarten H Versteeg Zenith 601XL(B) · Leakey, TX · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Dec 16, 2013 · N581SL · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane after the canopy opened on takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to properly secure the canopy latch before takeoff. - [NTSB CEN13LA308](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13LA308.md): Evektor-Aerotechnik Sportstar Plus · Elyria, OH · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 30, 2013 · N319SV · Substantial damage > The failure of the canopy latch spring, which caused the canopy to open during initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the installation of an improper part in the canopy latch assembly, which led to the failure of the canopy latch spring. Next page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases.md?page=2 ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT f.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_findings.parquet' f WHERE starts_with(f."findingCode", '01035210')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01035210/cases --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.