A Wheels Up Citation Excel XLS charter jet experienced its door swinging open shortly after takeoff from San Francisco International Airport with seven people aboard.
The pilot declared an emergency, reporting difficulty climbing and maintaining clearance due to the open door and cloud cover, requiring an instrument approach back to SFO.
Despite initial confusion from air traffic control mistaking the open door for landing gear, the aircraft made a safe visual landing, and all occupants evacuated unharmed.
On August 6, two pilots and five passengers aboard a Wheels Up Citation Excel XLS were in for a scare when the door swung open as the plane climbed to 2,000 feet.
“The door is hanging and uh… passengers… I think they’re okay but they’re gonna be pretty upset,” the pilot said in recorded correspondence with an air traffic controller.
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