Beechcraft B200 N300FL

Summary

On 10 April 2008 at about 14:00 local time, a Beechcraft B200 registered N300FL was involved in an accident near Taylor, Texas, United States. 2 people were on board. One person on the ground also died. The aircraft was slightly damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

10 April 2008 at 14:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Taylor, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Taylor Muni (T74)

Coordinates

30.5725, -97.4431

Aircraft

Beechcraft B200

Registration

N300FL

Category

Airplane

Engines

2

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Taylor → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Minor

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

DFW08LA097

Injuries not recorded.

The failure of the pilot and mechanic to ensure that the airplane was depressurized prior to actuating the door. Contributing to the accident was the failure of the vacuum system.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

While performing a postmaintenance flight, the pilot heard a loud, high-pitched "screaming" sound emanating from behind the instrument panel. The pilot returned to the airport and radioed the mechanic regarding the loud sound. When the pilot brought the airplane to a stop, the sound diminished. With engines idling, the mechanic opened the door of the airplane to troubleshoot the malfunction. Cabin pressure existed when the mechanic attempted to open the entry door and the door "blew" outward. The door struck the mechanic's head. An examination of the airframe revealed that a vacuum line had separated from the vacuum controller at a T-fitting. The T-fitting was located in the area that the mechanic had worked in during installation of the vertical speed indicator. The disconnected line disabled the entire vacuum system and subsequently disabled the airplane's pressurization system outflow valve. Prior to the mechanic opening the door, the pilot reported turning the environmental controls off which stopped the in-flow of cabin pressure. However, because the vacuum system could not drive the safety valve open, the airplane remained pressurized. An examination of the door assembly and differential-pressure-sensitive diaphragm revealed no anomalies. Testing results conducted on the diaphragm were consistent with a new diaphragm. The door system met the certification requirements of 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 23. The Beech 200 has no means of alerting outside personnel that the airplane is still pressurized while on the ground other than resistance against the release-button, nor is it required to by 14 CFR Part 23. The Pilot's Operating Handbook onboard the airplane had not been updated. A current version of the checklist would have directed the pilot to verify a zero pressure differential during the after-landing checklist.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.