Amateur-built RV-10 accident near Hiram, Georgia, September 19, 2007
On September 19, 2007 at about 12:45 pm local time, a amateur-built RV-10, registered N416EC, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hiram, Georgia (Cobb County Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
Separation of the passenger cabin door during cruise flight for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 19, 2007 · about 12:45 pm local time
- Place
- Hiram, Georgia · Cobb County Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built RV-10
- Registration
- N416EC · registry record · serial 40416
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot of an amateur-built RV-10 performed his preflight inspection, and confirmed that the doors were in the locked position by observing the lock indicator lights on the instrument panel, as well as the lock annunciators on the airplane’s electronic flight information system. During cruise flight, at an altitude of 4,500 feet mean sea level, and an estimated cruise speed of 145 knots, he noticed the right door was vibrating. He reached over to grip the door handle and the door began to open upwards. Shortly thereafter the door opened completely, separated from the airframe, and struck the right horizontal stabilizer. The pilot declared an emergency and returned to the departure airport. A search for the separated door was unsuccessful, and postaccident examination of the airplane was inconclusive. As part of the investigation, five RV-10 airplanes fitted with the same door locking mechanism were surveyed. Varying degrees of door lock pin extension lengths were observed between airplanes.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 420 hours in all; 270 in this make and model
- Last flight review: February 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 298 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 19, 2007; 64 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,940 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Departed from: RYY Atlanta GA at 12:45 pm
- Destination: DHN Dothan AL
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.29 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from KRYY, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.