Piper PA-23-160 N333PE

Summary

On 14 March 2001 at about 18:10 local time, a Piper PA-23-160 registered N333PE was involved in an accident near Anza, California, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

14 March 2001 at 18:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Anza, California, United States

Coordinates

33.0000, -116.0000

Aircraft

Piper PA-23-160

Registration

N333PE

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Fallbrook → Fort Mohave

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX01LA117

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane following the opening of the cockpit/cabin door. The door came open because of improperly installed upholstery, which resulted in the inability to lock the door.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The cabin door opened in cruise flight and the private pilot subsequently lost control of the twin-engine airplane. The airplane entered a descending right turn, and when ground impact was imminent, the pilot shut down the engines and feathered the propellers. The airplane then impacted the ground in a field. According to FAA inspectors, the door would not lock due to improperly installed upholstery. The pilot/owner reported he did not get a certificated mechanic to inspect and sign off on the upholstery modification.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.