Probable cause
The pilot's failure to follow the aircraft checklist in locking the cabin door prior to departure which resulted in its in-flight separation.
NTSB analysis
The cabin entry door separated from the airplane during climb and was found about 6 miles from the departure airport. The airplane returned to the departure airport and landed without further incident. The door handle was found to be in the latch position and not in the lock position. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the door system.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN11LA120 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Dec 10, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Nearest airport
- Minneapolis-St Paul Internatio (MSP)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Dusk
Beech 300
- N-number
- N206K
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.