# NTSB ATL87FA255: Cessna 402C, N4630N, Atlanta, GA, September 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1987, 07:27 local (11:27 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, GA
- Location: 33.7490° N, 84.3880° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Atlanta, GA, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7490&lon=-84.3880&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7319
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87FA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7319/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87FA255

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, climb - to cruise
  - door,exterior crew - not secured (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE AT ABOUT 4,000 FT MSL, THE PLT HEARD A 'WHISTLING' NOISE AND NOTICED THAT THE CREW DOOR ADJACENT TO HIS SEAT WAS NOT COMPLETELY SECURED. THE DOOR CAME OPEN AS HE ATTEMPTED TO PROPERLY SECURE IT, AND YANKED HIS LEFT ARM OUTSIDE THE ACFT. HIS ARM WAS SUBSEQUENTLY BROKEN AS THE AIRSTREAM FORCED IT BACKWARDS AGAINST THE DOOR FRAME. HE ADVISED ATC OF HIS SITUATION AND RECEIVED VECTORS BACK TO HIS DEPARTURE POINT, WHERE HE MADE A SUCCESSFUL LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4630N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4630N), registered now, S/N 402C0001, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CESSNA 402C
- Registry model: [Cessna 402C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-402c) (registry code 207590R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental TSIO-520 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-tsio-520-series) (registry code 17040, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 402C0001
- Airframe hours: 5803
- Engines: CONTINENTAL TSIO-520-VB 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Operator: Bankair,Inc.
- Registered owner: Dickerson Associates
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 27, 1988
- Departed: ATL, ATLANTA, GA
- Destination: CHA, CHARLESTON, SC
- Flight plan: IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 27; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 2,320 total, 120 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command, 120 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dawn
- Wind: 270° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 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).

- [Accident 19870911051849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870911051849A), Sep 11, 1987: Cessna 402C, Atlanta, GA, Substantial damage. Crew door came open in flight as pilot tried to secure it. The force of air broke pilots arm and damaged fuselage.

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.

---
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.