FAA Probes Challenger 601 In-Flight Door Separation
AINonline.com
The FAA continues to investigate why the main entry door separated and fell
from a Challenger 601-3R – registered as N207JB and owned by Medcp [sic]
Aviation – as it was climbing through 3,000 feet after taking off from
Opa-Locka (Fla.) Airport on Wednesday afternoon. According to an FAA
preliminary report, “the door separated…under unknown circumstances.” The
twinjet’s two crewmembers did not sustain any injuries; there were no
passengers on board at the time. Just two minutes after departing Opa-Locka
at about 3:45 p.m. for what appears to be a 20-minute repositioning flight
to Pompano Beach (Fla.) Airpark, the crew declared an emergency after
losing the door. They then diverted to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
International Airport, where they landed safely. The aircraft’s main entry
door fell mainly intact, with its airstair still attached, before hitting
the 16th fairway of the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa’s championship golf
course near Hallandale Beach. The course was reportedly closed at the time
of the incident. No one on the ground was injured by the falling door,
which landed with such force that it bounced 15 feet after initial impact.
A Bombardier spokeswoman told AIN that the Challenger 600-series main entry
door weighs 285 pounds.
