Door that fell off air force plane found near Lanseria airport

According to Armscor, King Airs 650 and 652 underwent scheduled servicing but 650 experienced fuel cell leaks when delivered to the SAAF and new fuel cells were ordered. It received Blackhawk-upgraded Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-67A engines, producing 1,050 shp up to 25,000 feet, while the aircraft’s stock engines begin losing horsepower at 15,000 feet. Both aircraft received refurbished cabins.

The SAAF has four King Airs in its inventory, but may have to withdraw 650 from service if there is major damage to the fuselage.

Another King Air lost its door in February over Bloemfontein. A privately owned medical evacuation aircraft, ZS-LFW, had its door detach in flight while approaching Bram Fischer International Airport in Bloemfontein after a flight from Kimberley on February 8. No one on board — two pilots, a doctor and paramedic — was injured. The door was recovered from a parking area in Heidedal, a suburb of Bloemfontein, and returned to the operator.

Door incidents have affected other King Air operators around the world, DefenceWeb said:

• In June 2024 a King Air C90GTX had its cabin door open mid-flight while climbing out of London Biggin Hill Airport. The external door handle was apparently in the closed position before take-off. 
• In May 2023 a King Air 350 (N680CB) was cruising over Florida when the airstair door completely separated from the fuselage after a door handle anchor failed.
• In December 2022 a King Air 250 (T7-AIRX) was climbing out of Lahr Airport in Germany when its door opened mid-flight and nearly ripped off.

TimesLIVE and DefenceWeb