# NTSB FTW95LA088: Beech 1900D, N39ZV, Farmington, NM, December 15, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 15, 1994, 10:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Farmington, NM
- Coordinates: 36.749225, -108.179283 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7492&lon=-108.1793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 15 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 19335
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW95LA088
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19335/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW95LA088

## Probable cause

GROUND PERSONNEL FAILED TO PROPERLY SECURE THE CARGO DOOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - door,cargo/baggage - not secured (cause)
  - aircraft service - improper, ground personnel (cause)

## Analysis

AS THE AIRPLANE ROTATED FOR LIFTOFF, THE AFT CARGO DOOR OPENED AND A PIECE OF BAGGAGE FELL ONTO THE RUNWAY. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION DISCLOSED DAMAGE TO THE PRESSURE VESSEL AND DORSAL FIN. THE CREW REPORTED THAT THE CARGO LIGHT WAS NOT ILLUMINATED; HOWEVER, IT DID ILLUMINATE WHEN THE CREW ATTEMPTED TO PRESSURIZE THE AIRCRAFT. A CHECK OF THE CARGO DOOR AFTER LANDING DEMONSTRATED THAT THE LIGHT INDICATION OPERATED AS DESIGNED.

## Factual narrative

On December 15, 1994, approximately 1050 mountain standard time, a Beech 1900D, N39ZV, was substantially damaged when the aft cargo door opened during takeoff at Farmington, New Mexico.  There were no injuries to the two pilots and 13 passengers.  Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed.

According to Mesa Airlines, the airplane was operating as United Express flight 7549, a regularly scheduled domestic passenger flight from Farmington, New Mexico, to Durango, Colorado.  As the airplane was rotated for liftoff, the aft cargo door opened and a piece of baggage fell onto the runway.  This was corroborated by witnesses.  The pilot elected to continue the takeoff, then returned for an uneventful landing.  Post accident inspection disclosed damage to the cargo door frame, pressure vessel, and dorsal fin.  There was no evidence of failure or malfunction of the cargo door locking system.

In the pilot/operator report, the captain said the airplane took off and climbed to an altitude of 100 to 200 feet.  When he tried to pressurize the airplane, he heard a loud noise and the cargo door annunciator light illuminated.

During the interview the crew stated that prior to takeoff the baggage door light was not illuminated and that it illuminated after becoming airborne.  After landing they kept electrical power on and tested the door, when the door was open the light illuminated and when it was closed it did not.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N39ZV](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N39ZV-1999-10-20), registration cancelled 1999-10-20, S/N UE-39 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEECH 1900D
- Registry model: [Beech 1900D](https://openairdocs.org/model/beech-1900d) (registry code 1154162) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: UE-39
- Airframe hours: 4314
- Engines: P&W PT6A-67D 1279 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 135
- Registered owner: Mesa Airlines, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, December 6, 1994, 98 hours before
- Departed: FMN
- Destination: DRO, DURANGO, CO
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: FMN, Four Corners Regional, runway 7, 6,702 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; 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: 3,500 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 1,500 as pilot in command, 250 in the last 90 days, 160 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,200 ft broken
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 14 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMN

## 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 19941215046519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941215046519A), Dec 15, 1994: Beech 1900D, Farmington, NM, Substantial damage. Aft cargo door opened during takeoff. Lost baggage. Returned. Door frame bent. Not properly closed and locked.

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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