# NTSB CHI04LA213: Cessna 208B, N1037N, Big Rapids, MI, August 4, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 2004, 08:05 local (12:05 UTC) - Place: Big Rapids, MI - Coordinates: 43.722499, -85.504165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7225&lon=-85.5042&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 24, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA -- Grand Rapids FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60034 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60034/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA213 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to verify that the cargo door was latched properly prior to flight and the subsequent in-flight opening of the door. A contributing factor was the box which departed the cargo compartment and struck the horizontal stabilizer. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - door,cargo/baggage - not secured (cause) - door,cargo/baggage - open (cause) - Miscellaneous/other, cruise - horizontal stabilizer - foreign object damage - object - other (contributing factor) ## Analysis The airplane was substantially damaged when the cargo door inadvertently opened in-flight and a box departed the aircraft, striking the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot reported that after loading the cargo, he and the loaders had to "muscle the cargo door closed due to a large volume of freight." The taxi and takeoff were normal, but a few minutes after leveling at cruising altitude the door ajar light illuminated. The pilot stated that "shortly after this illumination, there was a loud thud and [he] figured that a box had departed the aircraft and struck the tail." The pilot reported that aircraft control was normal after the accident. He stated that he employed the door ajar checklist, diverted to an intermediate airport, and landed uneventfully. When he exited the aircraft, the pilot saw the damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. An inspection of the cargo door installation on the accident aircraft revealed the door structure and locking mechanism were intact and appeared undamaged. The door closed and latched properly. The cargo door had a window installed. The inspection noted that with this design the door had enough flexibility to allow the forward frame of the door to be seated in the door jamb and latched, while the aft frame was outside the jamb and unlatched. The micro-switch for the DOOR WARNING annunciator light was located on the forward jamb. Therefore, it was possible in that configuration for the aft cargo door latch not to be engaged without the annunciator light being illuminated. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 2004, about 0805 eastern daylight time, a Cessna 208B, N1037N, operated by Superior Aviation, Inc. and piloted by a commercial pilot, was substantially damaged when the cargo door opened during cruise flight and a box departed the aircraft impacting the horizontal stabilizer. The pilot diverted to Roben-Hood Airport (RQB), Big Rapids, Michigan, and landed safely. The flight was operating under 14 CFR Part 135 on an instrument flight rules flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot reported no injuries. The flight departed Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR), Grand Rapids, Michigan, approximately 0750, with an intended destination of Cherry Capital Airport (TVC), Traverse City, Michigan. The pilot reported that after loading the cargo, he and the loaders had to "muscle the cargo door closed due to a large volume of freight." He noted that taxi and takeoff were normal, but that a few minutes after leveling at cruising altitude the door ajar light illuminated. The pilot stated that "shortly after this illumination, there was a loud thud and [he] figured that a box had departed the aircraft and struck the tail." The pilot reported that aircraft control was normal after the accident. He stated that he employed the door ajar checklist and diverted to RBQ. He noted that he landed uneventfully. When he exited the aircraft, the pilot saw the damage to the left horizontal stabilizer. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector examined the cargo door installation on the accident aircraft. He reported the door structure and locking mechanism were intact and appeared undamaged. The door closed and latched properly. The inspector noted that the door had a window installed. He stated that with this design the door had enough flexibility to allow the forward frame of the door to be seated in the door jamb and latched, while the aft frame was outside the jamb and unlatched. He reported the micro switch for the DOOR WARNING annunciator light was located on the forward jamb. Therefore, it was possible in that configuration for the aft cargo door latch not to be engaged without the annunciator light being illuminated. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N1037N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1037N), registered now, S/N 208B0334, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Cessna 208B - Registry model: [Cessna 208B](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-208b) (registry code 2073701) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney PT6A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-pt6a-series) (registry code 52032, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 208B0334 - Airframe hours: 5403 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A 675 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 135 - Registered owner: Superior Aviation Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 19, 2004, 18 hours before - Departed: GRR, Grand Rapids, MI - Destination: TVC, Traverse City, MI - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: RBQ, Roben-Hood ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review April 23, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 1,530 total, 275 in this make and model, 1,483 as pilot in command, 209 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 11,000 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: RQB, 10 nm away ## 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 20040804018689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040804018689A), Aug 4, 2004: Cessna 208B, Big Rapids, MI, Substantial damage. (-23) 08/04/04: Aircraft departed grr and 3-4 minutes after leveling off at 7000', pilot reported getting cargo door warning light and then heard "thump",… 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.