U-FITAQP: 21) THE IMPOSSIBLE TURN

Cessna 340 | N269WT

Houston, Texas

  • DTSB analysis published
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Key facts

  • DateSeptember 28, 2025
  • Local time12:10 PM
  • LightDay
  • WeatherVMC
  • Phase of flightManeuvering
  • People on board2
  • Fatalities2
  • AirportKDWH

Accident Location

City, State
Houston, Texas
Latitude
30.052778
Longitude
-95.551944
Airport ID
KDWH

Aircraft Info

N Number
N269WT
Make
Cessna
Model
340
Category / Class
Aircraft Multi Engine Land
Amateur Built
No

Pilot Info

Pilot in command
Willis, James Atkin
Gender
Male
Age
74
Certification
Airline Transport Pilot
IFR rating
Yes
Medical
2nd Class Medical
Flight school
No
Instructional flight
No

Analysis

Weather
VMC
Time of day
Day
Phase of flight
Maneuvering
Pilot error
Yes
Pilot incapacitation
No
People on board
2
PIC fatality
1
Passenger fatalities
1
Total fatalities
2
NTSB travel
Unknown

Probable Cause

THE DTSB

Pending. Open door after takeoff, attempted impossible return, loss of speed awareness.

NTSB

None yet (final report not yet published).

Recommendation

THE DTSB

Pending.

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