King Air Cowling takes flight

RAYTHEON BEECH KING AIR 300, NEAR TULSA, OKLA., JUNE 22, 2002–There were no reported injuries as a result of N224CR’s in-flight separation of a portion of the left-engine cowling during cruise flight. The twin turboprop was owned by Ponca City Transportation of Ponca City, Okla., and operated by Flight Concepts of Tulsa, Okla., under Part 91.

The ATP-rated pilot said he had departed Tulsa approximately 10 min before the in-flight mishap. An FAA inspector, who was dispatched to the accident airplane, found that the lower panel of the inboard left-engine cowling was missing. The integrity of the pressure vessel was compromised about six- to eight inches along the left side of the cabin. The cause of the separation is not yet known.