# NTSB ANC92IA147: Short Brothers SH-7, N53NS, Sheldon Point, AK, August 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB incident investigation
- Classification: Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report
- Date: August 29, 1992, 20:26 local (Aug 30, 1992, 04:26 UTC)
- Place: Sheldon Point, AK
- Coordinates: 62.440483, -165.149703 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=62.4405&lon=-165.1497&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 21, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Alaska Regional Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 5661
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ANC92IA147
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/5661/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC92IA147

## Probable cause

THE UNLATCHING OF THE LEFT CREW ENTRANCE DOOR BY MEANS UNDETERMINED AND THE LACK OF ADHERENCE TO DOOR CHECK ITEMS BY THE PILOT IN COMMAND ON THE REQUISITE CHECKLISTS.  A FACTOR RELATING TO THE INCIDENT WAS THE SEPARATION OF THE DOOR FROM THE FRAME WHEN OPENED INTO THE SLIPSTREAM.

## Analysis

THE LEFT COCKPIT DOOR BEHIND PILOT THE POSITION OPENED INTO AIRSTREAM AT 50 FT AGL ON INITIAL CLIMBOUT. THE DOOR DEPARATED AND DAMAGED LEFT PROPELLER AND FUSELAGE SKIN. THE PILOT COMPLETED SINGLE ENGINE PROCEDURES AND PROCEDED IMC TO ALTERNATE AND COMPLETED IFR APPROACH AND LANDING WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE DOOR WAS NOT FOUND. IT WAS UNDETERMINED IF THE DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONED FOR PERSONNEL FAILED TO CLOSE THE LATCH. COCKPIT LIGHTING DOES NOT ILLUMINATE AS A FUNCTION OF THE DOOR LATCH. THEE IS NO WARNING LIGHT TO WARN OF AN UNLATCHED DOOR. THE DOOR HINGES ARE MOUNTED ON THE AFT FRAME OF THE DOOR OPENING, THUS SWINGING REARWARD IN FRONT OF PROPELLER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, takeoff - initial climb
  - door,exterior crew - unlatched (cause)
  - checklist - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - acft/equip,inadequate cockpit/workplace,lighting, manufacturer
  - door,exterior crew - separation (contributing factor)
- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, climb

## Aircraft

- Registration: N53NS (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Short Brothers SH-7
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1920
- Airframe hours: 5837
- Engines: GARRETT TPE331-2-201A 715 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Operator: Camai Air, doing business as Village Aviation
- Registered owner: North Star Air Cargo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, August 26, 1992, 6 hours before
- Departed: SXP
- Destination: KSM, ST MARYS, AK
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: SXP, Sheldons Point, runway 2, 2,200 × 50 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 3,200 in this make and model, 6,000 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 60 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 140° at 20 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,100 ft overcast
- Temperature: 45 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Incident 19920829043799I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920829043799I), Aug 29, 1992: Stbros SC7SERIES3, Sheldon Point, AK, Minor damage. Left cockpit door departed aircraft on climb. Hit NR1 propeller. Shut engine down. Continued to bethal. Landed.

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.

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