Mechanic Killed by King Air Door

A mechanic at Taylor Municipal Airport in Texas died April 11 while attempting to board a Beech King Air 200 while the engines were operating at idle power. According to the NTSB, “unexpected pressure” between the interior and exterior of the airplane caused the door of the aircraft to open forcibly once unlatched, and it struck the mechanic’s head.

The pilot had called for the mechanic after noticing a “screaming” sound coming from the airplane during a test flight, following replacement of the vertical speed indicator.