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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its final report on a 2024 incident involving a CargoJet Boeing 767-300F. The report found that a maintenance oversight caused the aircraft to lose its auxiliary power unit (APU) doors during climb from Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport. According to the NTSB, the critical fasteners for the APU doors had not been properly reinstalled during prior maintenance, leading to their separation in flight.
On June 17, 2024, CargoJet flight W8 1926 was climbing through 13,000 feet when both APU doors detached and fell to the ground. The crew declared an emergency and leveled off at 25,000 feet before returning safely to Cincinnati. No injuries were reported among the crew or on the ground, and there was no property damage from falling debris.
During descent, the pilots experienced difficulty using speed brakes and noted substantial elevator damage. They reported hearing a loud "bang," feeling airframe vibrations, and receiving EICAS messages suggesting a possible onboard fire. Despite these issues, the landing was uneventful.
