Fairchild SW3 N2699Y

Summary

On 31 August 2008 at about 19:20 local time, a Fairchild SW3 registered N2699Y was involved in an accident near Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

31 August 2008 at 19:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Carlsbad, New Mexico, United States

Nearest airport

Cavern City Air Trml (CNM)

Coordinates

32.4005, -104.2296

Aircraft

Fairchild SW3

Registration

N2699Y

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Positioning

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

El Paso → Carlsbad

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW08CA222

Nobody was injured.

Failure of the door to remain secure for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While en route to his destination, the 12,250-hour airline transport pilot experienced variations in the airplane's cabin pressure. The pilot removed his noise-cancelling headset and was able to detect an air leak from the area of the entrance door. Moments later, the airplane encountered turbulence and the door departed the airplane causing substantial damage to the fuselage. The pilot declared an emergency and was able to land at the nearest suitable airfield. During his preflight inspection, the pilot, who reported 5,200 hours in make and model, secured the door "normally," but could not recall if he visually confirmed that the door was secured. The fuselage door frame did not display signs of deformation where the entrance door's bayonets seat into the door frame. The door was not recovered and an examination for mechanical failure could not be conducted.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.