Service difficulty report · Latch · Beech 200BEECH

Difficulty date
March 20, 2002
Submitted
April 15, 2002
Operation
General aviation
Make and model
Beech 200BEECH
Aircraft time
16,831 hours
Engine
Pwa PT6A41
Part
Latch
Part number
1014300291
Condition
Failed
Location
Airstair Door
Stage of operation
CL
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
D
Precautionary procedure
B, G

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

(CAN) AFTER TAKEOFF CALGARY (CYYC), CLIMBING THROUGH 14,000 FEET, THE CREW AND PASSENGERS HEARD A LOUD BANG, THEN THE CABIN AIRSTAIR DOOR DROPPED OPEN. THE CREW DECLARED AN EMERGENCY TO ATC, INSTITUTED AN EMERGENCY DESCENT AND TURNED BACK FOR CALGARY WHERE THEY LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE CAUSE OF THIS DOOR FAILURE IS NOT FULLY KNOWN AT THIS TIME, BUT IT DOES APPEAR THAT THE FORWARD UPPER LATCH HOOK ASSEMBLY FAILED. REPORTS ON THE EXACT CAUSE WILL FOLLOW AFTER INVESTIGATION.