Primary finding
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a precautionary off-field landing.
Investigator assessment
Analysis narrative
While the pilot was enroute to his destination, he reported that the airplane door opened inflight, so he performed a precautionary landing to a rural road. During the landing, the pilot lost control of the airplane and it veered left and entered a corn field. The left landing gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest upright. Examination of the airframe by responding inspectors from the Federal Aviation Administration found substantial damage to the right wing and that the interior of the airplane had been mostly dismantled. There were no knobs or placards for the fuel selectors. Fuel lines to both engines were empty of fuel. Flight control continuity was confirmed. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1.