THE DTSB
The DTSB determines the Probable Cause of this accident to be Pilot Error, in that the pilot failed to properly secure the aft baggage door, which then opened after takeoff. The pilot became distracted by this abnormal and experienced a loss of speed awareness, and initiated a turn to return to the departure field. The resulting low altitude stall and spin occurred at an altitude too low to effect a normal stall recovery.
NTSB
Probable Cause issued 4/3/2026 – 24 months after the accident: The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate airspeed of the airplane while in the traffic pattern, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall/spin. Contributing was the pilot’s distraction due to the in-flight opening of the main cabin door, which resulted from the incorrect closure of the door before takeoff.
THE DTSB
The DTSB recommends that all pilots of all aircraft should check all doors and panels very thoroughly, and if a door inadvertently opens do NOT attempt to close it in flight. The DTSB recommends that in this scenario, a very safe normal pattern be flown at DMMS for a return landing, and then re close the door on the ground.
NTSB
None issued. NTSB recommendations are rare and usually tied to high-profile accidents.
See the NTSB Recommendation Tracker →