The FAA is investigating after a baggage door detached from a Diamond DA42 shortly after takeoff from North Las Vegas Airport on June 3. The pilot reported the separation to air traffic control around 11 a.m., and the plane returned and landed safely after about six minutes. Airport crews recovered the door, and the FAA — which issued an airworthiness directive in January requiring repetitive inspections of door latches on Diamond models — is reviewing the event.
FAA Investigates After Rear Baggage Door Detaches From Diamond DA42 Mid‑Air Over North Las Vegas
An image of a Diamond DA 42 aircraft taking off.Credit: Getty
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an incident in which a baggage door detached from a Diamond DA42 shortly after takeoff from North Las Vegas Airport on June 3. The aircraft returned and landed safely after a short flight, and airport personnel recovered the separated door, authorities said.
What Happened
According to air traffic control audio obtained by local media, the pilot reported the issue to controllers at roughly 11 a.m. local time immediately after becoming airborne. The pilot told the controller that "the whole door broke off, or part of it," and later clarified, "We only have one door on the airplane, it's the back door." Airport ground crews located and recovered the detached door, though officials have not disclosed the exact recovery location.
An aerial view of North Las Vegas Airport.Credit: Alamy
"The whole door broke off, or part of it... We only have one door on the airplane, it's the back door." — Pilot, per ATC audio
Flight and Response
Flight-tracking data cited by local station Fox 5 Las Vegas and FlightAware indicate the flight lasted approximately six minutes before being cleared to land and touching down safely. No injuries were reported.
FAA Action and Context
The FAA confirmed it is reviewing the event and emphasized that it issued a new airworthiness directive in January for several Diamond Aircraft models — including the DA42, DA42 NG, and DA42 M‑NG — after receiving multiple reports of passenger or baggage doors separating from the fuselage. That directive requires operators to consult the airplane flight manual for revised operating limitations and procedures and mandates repetitive inspections of door latches and safety hooks to verify correct engagement, absence of foreign objects, and proper function.
A photo of a Diamond DA 42 aircraft.Credit: Getty
Investigators will examine whether the aircraft had been operated and maintained in accordance with the January directive and whether any maintenance, manufacturing, or operational factors contributed to the separation. Local reporting also notes a similar door‑separation event at North Las Vegas Airport in 2024 involving a single‑engine Diamond DA40.
What Comes Next
The FAA's investigation is ongoing. Officials have not released a final determination about the cause of the June 3 separation, and no further details have been made public at this time.
Sources: FAA statement to PEOPLE; Fox 5 Las Vegas; FlightAware tracking data.
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