Narrative:
A Gulfstream 200, N720QS, operated by NetJets Aviation, was substantially damaged when the auxiliary power unit (APU) access door opened in-flight near Savannah, Georgia. Both pilots were not injured. The post-maintenance test flight departed Savannah International Airport, GA (SAV) at 14:36.
Prior to departure, the crew performed a preflight inspection and observed no anomalies. The crew described the takeoff as normal, and stated that as the airplane climbed through 16,000 feet at 280 knots, they experienced a momentary shudder. No other anomalies were observed, and the crew did not experience any abnormal handling characteristics with the airplane. Upon landing at SAV, the crew observed that the APU access door was open and bent, but remained attached. The door's lower locking tabs were in the down and locked position, and the side tabs were in the open position. The crew noted that the side tabs were "bent as if torn away." The lower portion of the rudder exhibited substantial damage due to contact with the access door.
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Maintenance personnel's failure to properly secure the auxiliary power unit service door before returning the airplane to service, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder."
Airframe failure
Normal landing
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Tuesday 14 January 2014 |
| Time: | 15:00 |
| Type: |  Gulfstream G200 |
| Operator: | NetJets |
| Registration: | N720QS |
| MSN: | 085 |
| First flight: | 2003 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 7493 |
| Engines: | 2 Pratt & Whitney Canada PW306A |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Substantial |
| Aircraft fate: | Repaired |
| Location: | near Savannah, GA ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Test |
| Departure airport: | Savannah International Airport, GA (SAV/KSAV), United States of America |
| Savannah International Airport, GA (SAV/KSAV), United States of America |
A Gulfstream 200, N720QS, operated by NetJets Aviation, was substantially damaged when the auxiliary power unit (APU) access door opened in-flight near Savannah, Georgia. Both pilots were not injured. The post-maintenance test flight departed Savannah International Airport, GA (SAV) at 14:36.
Prior to departure, the crew performed a preflight inspection and observed no anomalies. The crew described the takeoff as normal, and stated that as the airplane climbed through 16,000 feet at 280 knots, they experienced a momentary shudder. No other anomalies were observed, and the crew did not experience any abnormal handling characteristics with the airplane. Upon landing at SAV, the crew observed that the APU access door was open and bent, but remained attached. The door's lower locking tabs were in the down and locked position, and the side tabs were in the open position. The crew noted that the side tabs were "bent as if torn away." The lower portion of the rudder exhibited substantial damage due to contact with the access door.
Probable Cause:
PROBABLE CAUSE: "Maintenance personnel's failure to properly secure the auxiliary power unit service door before returning the airplane to service, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder."
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Classification:
Airframe failure
Normal landing
Sources:
» NTSBPhotos
Map
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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