SHORTLY AFTER GALAXY AIRLINES FLT 203 LIFTED OFF FROM RWY 16R, THE COPLT TRANSMITTED THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO "MAKE A LEFT DOWNWIND, WE GOTTA GET BACK ON THE GROUND." HE THEN RPRTD THAT THERE WAS A HVY VIBRATION IN THE ACFT. FLT 203 WAS CLEARED AS REQUESTED, BUT A SHORT TIME LATER, THE ACFT DSCNDD & CRASHED ABOUT 1-1/2 MI FROM THE RWY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED EVIDENCE THAT THE GROUND HANDLERS HAD FAILED TO PROPERLY CLOSE AN AIR START ACCESS DOOR, WHILE THEY WERE SERVICING THE ACFT, DUE TO A DISRUPTION. INFO FROM THE COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER (CVR) INDICATED THAT AFTER THE DOOR BEGAN VIBRATING, POWER WAS REDUCED IN ALL 4 ENGS. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT BEGAN BUFFETING & LOST EXCESSIVE ALTITUDE BEFORE POWER WAS RESTORED. WHEN THE ACFT CRASHED, A STORE & 7 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES WERE ALSO DAMAGED.
Probable Cause
Airplane handling..Improper..Pilot in command
Airspeed..Not maintained..no person specified
Proper altitude..Not maintained..no person specified
Remedial action..Not attained..Copilot/second pilot
Contributing Factors
Door..Not engaged
Aircraft preflight..Inadequate..Ground personnel
Diverted attention..Ground personnel
Door..Vibration
Light condition..Dark night
Diverted attention..Pilot in command