I looked back at the door and noticed it had come slightly open. The safety latch did not appear to be holding the door closed. At around 500-600 feet AGL, just prior to turning crosswind, the rear door came off of the airplane.
aviation accidents
New video analyzes accident where Mooney was tangled in wires
The Mooney had been cleared for the GPS approach to Runway 14 at KGAI. Weather conditions were poor with a 200-foot overcast and 1.25 miles visibility in mist.
Taxi test ends with landing gear coming through the floor of the airplane
The pilot’s improper landing flare during the rejected takeoff that resulted in a hard landing and nose landing gear collapse.
NTSB releases preliminary report on fatal Dallas mid-air collision
The preliminary report notes there was no altitude deconflictions briefed before or during the flight. It also noted that the P-63’s avionics did not record any information from the accident flight.
Exhausted pilot loses control of plane while landing
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing.
Student pilot hits construction vehicle while taxiing
The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance with a vehicle while taxiing.
Pilot crashes after being blinded by sun glare and haze
The pilot’s failure to maintain adequate clearance from trees during an approach in sun glare and hazy conditions.
Number of fatal accidents in homebuilts ticks up
For the federal fiscal year ending Sept. 30, 2022, the FAA reported there were 56 fatal accidents in experimental category aircraft over the preceding 12 months, including 39 in amateur-built aircraft. That compares to 42 total accidents — 33 in amateur-built aircraft — during the 12-month period between October 2020 and September 2021.
Preparing pilots for spatial disorientation
At Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, students get the chance to experience spatial disorientation in a safe space in the university’s new Spatial Disorientation Laboratory.