ZELIENOPLE, PA, USA
N8429T
PIPER PA-32R-301
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF. PRIOR TO TAKEOFF THE PLT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THE LOCK CYLINDER FOR THE CABIN DOOR WAS BROKEN. UPON REACHING AN ALT OF 1800 FT, THE CABIN DOOR POPPED OPEN. THE PLT ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THE DOOR AFTER ACTIVATING THE AUTOPILOT. THE PLT STATED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WAS THEN EXPERIENCED. A 180 DEG TURN WAS MADE IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. AFTER VIEWING LIGHTS, WHICH THE PLT BELIEVED TO BE RWY LIGHTS, HE ATTEMPTED TO SET-UP FOR A LANDING WHILE TRYING TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT. THE ACFT THEN STALLED AND CONTACTED TREES. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT HEAVY RAIN AND FOG WAS PRESENT IN THE AREA AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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