Accident Cessna 207A N1785U, Wednesday 23 April 1997

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Date:	Wednesday 23 April 1997
Time:	11:45 LT
Type:	Cessna 207A
Owner/operator:	Frontier Flying Service
Registration:	N1785U
MSN:	20700385
Total airframe hrs:	11458 hours
Engine model:	Continental IO-520-F
Fatalities:	Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:	0
Aircraft damage:	Substantial
Category:	Accident
Location:	Minto, AK - United States of America
Phase:	En route
Nature:	Unknown
Departure airport:	Stevens Village, AK
Destination airport:	Fairbanks, AK (FAI)
Investigating agency:	NTSB
Confidence Rating:	Accident investigation report completed and information captured

Narrative:
The scheduled commuter flight was at cruise altitude when the cargo door opened in flight and struck the side of the fuselage. The airplane landed without mishap. Postaccident inspection disclosed substantial damage to the fuselage in the area where the door impacted. The pilot believed he had latched the door prior to takeoff. Inspection of the door and latching mechanism disclosed no mechanical anomalies.

Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the airplane, which resulted in an unlatched door opening in-flight.

Accident investigation: