What happened
On 14 February 2025, a Fairchild SA227-DC (Metro) operating as a single-pilot cargo flight was scheduled to depart Mackay Airport, Queensland at 0745 local time for a flight to Mount Isa, Queensland. As the aircraft taxied toward the runway, the air traffic control aerodrome controller (ADC) received multiple calls from ground staff that the forward cargo door of the aircraft was open. The ADC contacted the pilot and instructed them to taxi back to a designated parking bay to check the aircraft. The aerodrome’s aviation safety officer (ASO) conducted an inspection of the taxiway to check for fallen cargo, however reported that none was located. A subsequent aircraft check was made by the pilot and the cargo doors were secured. The aircraft then departed to Mount Isa as scheduled.
Following the incident the operator contacted the pilot. The operator reported that due to the amount of freight being carried a portion of it was loaded within the nose section of the aircraft accessed by two cargo doors. The pilot reported to the operator that they were certain that when the final walk-around[1] was conducted that the cargo doors were closed. However, the pilot noted that the aircraft did not have a strut on the right door and that it was not easily discernible between open or closed as it ‘sat’ flush with the airframe when closed, therefore although both the doors appeared closed, the latches were not properly secured on the right forward door.
The operator reported that the pilot had not effectively completed the pre-departure procedures and had been distracted during the freight‑loading task. The operator noted that time pressure, due to a delay on the previous sector, may have contributed to the pilot’s procedural lapse.
Safety message
Ensuring aircraft doors are properly secured before departure is a vital step to avoid in-flight emergencies. Relying on visual appearance alone makes it difficult to detect an unsecured door, therefore pilots are advised to physically verify all aircraft doors and aircraft hatches are secured prior to departure.
Pilots and operators are further reminded that prioritisation of schedule deadlines can erode aviation safety and can lead to increased risk‑taking and that clear articulation of company safety policy to staff may reduce self-imposed pressure on staff towards maintaining efficiency over the schedule.
About this report
Decisions regarding whether to conduct an investigation, and the scope of an investigation, are based on many factors, including the level of safety benefit likely to be obtained from an investigation. For this occurrence, no investigation has been conducted and the ATSB did not verify the accuracy of the information. A brief description has been written using information supplied in the notification and any follow-up information in order to produce a short summary report and allow for greater industry awareness of potential safety issues and possible safety actions.
[1] Walk-around is the procedure for a visual inspection of an aircraft by the pilot before flight to ensure no obvious problems.