# NTSB CHI06CA267: Columbia 350, N6500V, Bloomington, IN, September 15, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 15, 2006, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Bloomington, IN - Coordinates: 39.14611, -86.616668 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1461&lon=-86.6167&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Indianapolis, IN FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 64620 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI06CA267 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64620/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI06CA267 ## Probable cause The pilot did not comply with the pilot operating handbook warning when he intentionally opened the cabin door during flight. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - door - open (cause) - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - not complied with, pilot in command (cause) - door - separation (cause) ## Analysis The left main entry door departed the airplane when the pilot opened the door during flight. The pilot reported that after departure he noticed a carpet strap was hanging out of the left door and flapping against the airplane. He turned on the autopilot and decided to open the door in order to pull the strap inside. He reported he was unable to hang on to the door and it departed the airplane. The pilot reported he needed stitches because the door was ripped from his hand. The pilot contacted the departure airport stating he was returning to land, but then decided to continue the flight to an airport which was approximately 60 statute miles away where there was a certified Columbia service center. The airplane was landed without incident. Examination of the airplane revealed the door contacted and punctured the right wing. It then contacted and punctured the right horizontal stabilizer. The emergency procedures section in the pilot operating handbook (POH) contains a warning which states, "Do not open the cabin doors in flight. The air loads placed on the doors in flight will damage them and can cause separation from the airplane. A damaged or separated door will alter the flight characteristics of the airplane and possibly damage other control surfaces." The POH also states the following warning in the Doors section of the Description of the Airplane and Systems section: "If the red "Door Open" annunciator light is on or the aural warning is playing, then one or more doors are not properly secured, and the airplane is unsafe to fly." ## Factual narrative The left main entry door departed the airplane when the pilot opened the door during flight. The pilot reported that after departure he noticed a carpet strap was hanging out of the left door and flapping against the airplane. He turned on the autopilot and decided to open the door in order to pull the strap inside. He reported he was unable to hang on to the door and it departed the airplane. The pilot reported he needed stitches because the door was ripped from his hand. The pilot contacted the departure airport stating he was returning to land, but then decided to continue the flight to an airport which was approximately 60 statute miles away where there was a certified Columbia service center. The airplane was landed without incident. Examination of the airplane revealed the door contacted and punctured the right wing. It then contacted and punctured the right horizontal stabilizer. The emergency procedures section in the pilot operating handbook (POH) contains a warning which states, "Do not open the cabin doors in flight. The air loads placed on the doors in flight will damage them and can cause separation from the airplane. A damaged or separated door will alter the flight characteristics of the airplane and possibly damage other control surfaces." The POH also states the following warning in the Doors section of the Description of the Airplane and Systems section: "If the red "Door Open" annunciator light is on or the aural warning is playing, then one or more doors are not properly secured, and the airplane is unsafe to fly." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6500V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6500V), registered now, S/N 42033, built 2003 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Columbia 350 - Registry model: [Lancair LC42-550FG](https://openairdocs.org/model/lancair-lc42-550fg) (registry code 5150002) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental IO-550 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-550-series) (registry code 17042, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 42033 - Engines: Continental IO-550-N reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mark T. Prall - Registered owner: Prall Equipment Leasing - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility - Departed: BMG, Bloomington, IN - Destination: EVV, Evansville, IN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; flight hours: 204 total, 84 in this make and model, 102 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 80° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.15 inHg - Observed at: BMG ## 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 20060915026939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060915026939A), Sep 15, 2006: Lancar LC42550FG, Bloomington, IN, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 15, 2006 at 1309 EST, a Lancair 350, N6500V, registered to prall equipment leasing inc. during climb out after departing kbmg (Bloomington,… 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.