# NTSB FTW02LA190: Beech BE-300, N224CR, Tulsa, OK, June 22, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 22, 2002, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Tulsa, OK - Coordinates: 36.198333, -95.888053 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1983&lon=-95.8881&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 55051 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA190 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55051/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55051 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA190 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight of the airplane resulting in the in-flight separation of the left engine inboard access door. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, climb - to cruise - door,inspection - separation (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis While climbing through 9,500 feet msl, the inboard access panel for the left engine cowling became open. During the turn to return to the departure airport, the door separated from the airplane. The pilot landed the airplane without further incident. The integrity of the pressure vessel was compromised on the left side of the cabin. The Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Flight Manual, Section IV Normal Procedures, Preflight Inspection states in part, " to check the engine cowling, doors, and panels." ## Factual narrative On June 22, 2002, at 1030 central daylight time, a Beech BE-300, twin-engine airplane, N224CR, was substantially damaged following the in-flight separation of a portion of the left engine cowling during the initial climb from the Tulsa International Airport (TUL), near Tulsa, Oklahoma. The airplane was owned by Wells Fargo Bank Northwest of Salt Lake City, Utah, and was being operated by Flight Concepts, Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma, under Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The airline transport pilot and the passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the cross-country flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The personal flight was originating at the time of the accident. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot reported that while climbing through 9,500 feet msl, the "left inboard engine access door opened." The pilot reduced the power to flight idle, and then requested and received a clearance to return to TUL for landing. During the turn to return to the airport, at approximately 90 degrees of the turn, the "door separated" from the airplane. The pilot continued to the airport and performed a normal landing without further incidence. In the same report, the pilot reported that the latches for the aft cowling door (Raytheon part number 130-910031-40) had "failed," allowing the door to become open, and puncturing the fuselage. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, and the pilot found the lower panel of the left engine inboard cowling missing. The integrity of the pressure vessel was compromised for approximately 6-8 inches along the left side of the cabin. A review of the maintenance records by the FAA inspector, revealed that the P3 filters were removed and replaced on June 19, 2002. Company maintenance department personnel reported that both engine cowlings were opened during the maintenance, and subsequently they were secured for flight. The Pilot's Operating Handbook and FAA Approved Flight Manual, Section IV Normal Procedures, Preflight Inspection states in part: Engine Cowling, Doors, and Panels (left side)...SECURE. ## Aircraft - Registration: N224CR (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Beech BE-300 - Category: Airplane - Serial number: FL-60 - Airframe hours: 5271.6 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-60 1050 horsepower turbo prop - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Flight Concepts, Inc. - Registered owner: Wells Fargo Bank Northwest - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: AAIP, October 12, 2001, 193 hours before - Departed: TUL, Tulsa, OK - Destination: GTU, Georgetown, TX - Flight plan: IFR ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review January 30, 2002; seat: left; flight hours: 6,705 total, 1,400 in this make and model, 6,615 as pilot in command, 138 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F ## 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 20020622012249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020622012249A), Jun 22, 2002: Beech B300, Tulsa, OK, No damage. (.19) On June 22, 2002, at 1140 central daylight time, a Beech BE-300, multiengine airplane, N224CR, sustained substantial damage following the in-flight… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 21, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55051. 1.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 437 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448697&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Passenger Statement (NTSB Form 6120.9) (item 2, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448698&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Passenger%20Statement%20(NTSB%20Form%206120.9)-Master.PDF - Portions of Pilot Operating Handbook/FAA Flight Manual (item 3, .PDF, 441 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448699&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Portions%20of%20Pilot%20Operating%20Handbook%2FFAA%20Flight%20Manual-Master.PDF - Portions of Maintenance Records (item 4, .PDF, 423 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40448700&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Portions%20of%20Maintenance%20Records-Master.PDF 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.