# NTSB SEA88LA059: Beech A24R, N8307R, Las Vegas, NV, March 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 18, 1988, 12:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Location: 36.2107° N, 115.1944° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at NORTH LAS VEGAS (VGT), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2107&lon=-115.1944&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA88LA059
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA059

## 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,exterior crew - unlatched (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - door,exterior crew - open (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CLIMB TO CRUISE THE AIRCRAFT'S DOOR OPENED. THE PILOT THEN DIVERTED TO A NEARBY AIRPORT FOR A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. DURING LANDING THE PILOT HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A RUNWAY EDGE LIGHT DURING LANDING ROLL WITH MOST OF THE STABILIZER SEPARATING FROM THE AIRCRAFT. NO PRE-EXISTING PROBLEM COULD BE FOUND WITH THE DOOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8307R (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BEECH A24R
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: MC-32
- Airframe hours: 1981
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Maurice Truhitte
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 3, 1987, 26 hours before
- Departed: LAS, LAS VEGAS, NV
- Destination: SBP, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA
- Airport: VGT, N. Las Vegas Air Terminal, runway 25, 5,005 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 280 total, 8 in this make and model, 156 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 75 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAS, 6 nm away

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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