# NTSB MIA88LA133: Piper PA-60-601P, N3645E, St Petersburg, FL, March 30, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1988, 08:53 local (13:53 UTC)
- Place: St Petersburg, FL
- Location: 27.7709° N, 82.6793° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of St. Petersburg, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7709&lon=-82.6793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report February 28, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32155
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA133
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32155/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA133

## 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 - unlocked (contributing factor)
  - door - failure,partial (cause)
  - door - separation

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU 1600 FT WHEN THE UPPER HALF OF THE MAIN ENTRY DOOR OPENED & SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. THE PHYSICIAN PLT STATED THAT HE WAS REASONABLY SURE THAT HE HAD SECURED THE DOOR PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. HE STATED THAT ALTHOUGH THE CABIN HAD NOT YET PRESSURIZED, THE DOOR SEAL HAD INFLATED & THE CABIN WAS SET TO PRESSURIZE AT 2000 FT. THE DOOR WAS RECOVERED FROM A MOBILE HOME PARK WHERE IT HAD STRUCK A MOBILE HOME. AN EXAM OF THE DOOR REVEALED THE FOUR LOCKING PINS WERE EXTENDED OR IN THE LOCKED POSITION. NO DETERMINATION COULD BE MADE AS TO THE REASON FOR THE UNWARRANTED DOOR OPENING. SINCE 1980, THE AEROSTAR HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN FOUR ACCIDENTS & EIGHT INCIDENTS IN WHICH THE MAIN CABIN ENTRY DOOR OPENED IN FLT. ONE OF THE ACCIDENTS RESULTED IN A FATALITY. ON 4-12-88, THE NTSB RECOMMENDED TO FAA THAT AN AD NOTE BE ISSUED IN A EFFORT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3645E (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-60-601P
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 61P084581634
- Airframe hours: 2867
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540 290 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Mayflyer, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1987
- Departed: PIE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,317 total, 227 in this make and model, 1,185 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE, 2 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 19880330039349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880330039349A), Mar 30, 1988: Piper PA60601, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. Lost the upper half of the main cab in door on climbout. Returned safely. Unable to determine why it opened.

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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