# NTSB MIA82FA120: Piper P-60-601P, N90702, Titusville, FL, May 18, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1982, 15:48 local (19:48 UTC)
- Place: Titusville, FL
- Coordinates: 28.580417, -80.820335 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.5804&lon=-80.8203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 18, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Safety recommendations: Yes
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72822
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA82FA120
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72822/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA82FA120

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - checklist - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - door,exterior crew - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT IN A STEEP LEFT BANK DESCENDING UNTIL IT CRASHED APPROXIMATELY 1200 FTNW OF THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RWY. ACCORDING TO THE PAX THE INITIAL CLIMB DISTRACTING THE ATTENTION OF THE PLT WHO LOSTCONTROL OF THE ACFT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE INADVERTENT OPENING OF THE TOP SECTION OF THE CABIN DOOR IN FLIGHT IS NOT CONSIDERED CRITICAL. THE BEFORE STARTING ENGINES & BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECK LISTS CALL FOR "CABIN DOOR CLOSED AND LOCKED PIN INDICATORS CHECK ON GREEN MARK." ACCORDING TO THE PAX THE PLT PERFORMED A COCKPIT CHECK WITHOUT THE AID OF A WRITTEN CHECK LIST.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90702](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90702-2013-10-24), registration cancelled 2013-10-24, S/N 61P-0339-100, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER P-60-601P
- Registry model: [Smith AEROSTAR 601P](https://openairdocs.org/model/smith-aerostar-601p) (registry code 8360608) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming TI0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ti0-540-series) (registry code 41533, turbo-prop) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P-0339-100
- Airframe hours: 1732
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1AS 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Operator: Air Security Transport
- Registered owner: Air Security Transport
- Departed: TIX, TITUSVILLE, FL
- Destination: VRB, VERO BEACH, FL
- Airport: TIX, Tico, runway 36, 6,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 25; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 4,119 total, 3,750 as pilot in command, 210 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Temperature: 172 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TIX

## 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 19820518016579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820518016579A), May 18, 1982: Piper PA60601P, Titusville, FL, Destroyed. Cabin door not secured. Popped open on takeoff. Pilot lost control trying to close the door. Hasty no runup takeoff.

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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