4 fatal · PIPER PA 32R-300 · 2016-07-08 · Houston, TX, USA
Event
NTSB number
CEN16FA261
Event ID
20160708X85810
Type
Accident
Date
2016-07-08
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Coordinates
29.817222, -95.665832
Injuries
Highest injury
FATL
Fatal
4
Serious
0
Minor
0
Uninjured
0
Total aboard
4
Aircraft
Make
PIPER
Model
PA 32R-300
Registration
N32KK
FAR Part
091
Engines
1
Damage
DEST
Conditions
Light
DAYL
Weather
VMC
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed after becoming distracted by the open baggage door while operating in the airport traffic pattern, which resulted in the airplane exceeding its critical angle of attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at a low altitude. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's failure to ensure that the forward baggage compartment door was closed, latched, and properly secured during his preflight inspection.