Piper PA-60-600 N222KD

Summary

On 7 May 1996 at about 01:45 local time, a Piper PA-60-600 registered N222KD was involved in an accident near Syracuse, New York, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 May 1996 at 01:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Syracuse, New York, United States

Coordinates

43.0408, -76.1391

Aircraft

Piper PA-60-600

Registration

N222KD

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Utica → Buffalo

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Dusk

NTSB number

IAD96LA072

1 person was seriously injured.

the pilot's failure to ensure that his hand would remain clear of the propeller, while attempting to take remedial action to secure the clam shell door. The unlatching and separation of the clam shell door from the aircraft were related factors.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

After leveling the airplane at 6000 feet msl, the pilot noticed that the upper half of the clamshell cockpit door had become ajar, and the door unsafe light illuminated. The pilot attempted to secure the door, but it separated from the aircraft. During the occurrence, the pilot's left hand was seriously injured. He was not certain of how the injury occurred, but he believed that his left hand had contacted the left engine propeller blades. He wrapped his hand in a flight jacket and made an emergency landing, where he received medical attention. Attempts to recover the upper half of the clamshell door for further examination were unsuccessful.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.