Richmond, Rhode Island – January 8, 1990

     On the morning of January 8, 1990, a Beechcraft Bonanza V-35 with a man and woman aboard took off from Richmond Airport.  When the plane reached an altitude of about 500 feet the passenger side door popped open.  Air pressure prevented the door from opening completely, but the slight opening created a loud hissing noise and loss of cabin heat.  While attempting to rectify the problem, the aircraft crashed in a wooded area near the airport.  Both pilot and passenger escaped with non-life-threatening injuries before the plane caught fire and was destroyed by flames.  

     Source: Providence Journal, “Two Walk Away From Crash”, January 9, 1990, page A-3