Unsecured door involving a Bellanca 8KCAB, VH-DEC, 26 km south-east of Archerfield Aerodrome, Queensland, on 27 November 1996

The pilot reported that the upper half of the aircraft's cabin door separated in flight. The incident occurred when the top front latch came loose, at about 110 kts during the pullout from an aerobatic manoeuvre. The slipstream then pulled the window outwards, and it was torn off. As it departed the Perspex window and top door frame struck the lower surface of the right wing, tearing the fabric and fracturing 5 ribs.

The pilot was able to land the aircraft safely at Archerfield. He said that control of the aircraft was not greatly affected by the damaged wing.