Piper PA-34-200T Seneca, G-BHYG, 11 February 2005
Piper PA-34-200T Seneca, G-BHYG
Summary:
The crew on the training flight comprised the instructor and student flying, plus a supernumerary student, who performed the Check ‘A’ (daily) inspection and accompanied them on the flight. The take-off roll was normal, however shortly after lifting off, the nose baggage bay door came fully open. The instructor in the right-hand seat had a clear view of the door and noted that the handle was in the vertical (unlatched) position. He took control of the aircraft and contacted ATC to request a circuit to land. The door then slammed shut and open several times, before becoming partially detached and flailing around in front of the student in the left-hand seat. It finally detached and the instructor declared a ‘PAN’. The aircraft was landed safely. It was concluded that the door had not been latched prior to flight. Contributory factors were fatigue of the supernumerary student, pressure on the crew to meet the scheduled departure time, and a worn lock on the baggage door, which allowed the door key to be withdrawn with the door handle in the unlatched position.
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