Door opens as ScotAirways aircraft travels down runway for takeoff

Airline Industry Information, March 12, 2004

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2004 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The door of a ScotAirways aircraft is said to have flown open as the aircraft was preparing for takeoff from Scotland's Edinburgh Airport.

The Fairchild Dornier 328-100 aircraft - which was carrying 16 passengers and four crew members in March 2002 - was travelling at more than 100 miles per hour along the runway when the door flew open forcing the pilot to abort takeoff. Investigators have revealed that had the aircraft taken off, the forward passenger door and the integral stairway would have ripped away and probably struck the aircraft's port propeller.

An Air Accident Investigation Branch report has said that the accident was probably caused by a crew member grabbing the door handle to steady herself as the aircraft accelerated.

Investigators have recommended that the design of the door on the aircraft type be reviewed by the European Aviation Safety Agency.

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