The Nation - News from March 21, 1985

Investigators strongly suspect that the Jan. 21 crash in Reno that killed 70 persons aboard a Galaxy Airlines plane occurred because a service door was left open on the airplane’s wing and prompted severe vibrations, causing the pilot to cut engine power below safe limits, sources told the Washington Post. The National Transportation Safety Board said the recording of the flight crew’s conversation indicates that the Lockheed Electra stalled almost immediately after takeoff. Investigators say other Electra pilots have reported severe vibrations when a service door on the front underside of the left wing is left open. Ground crews have been interviewed to determine if anyone can remember whether the door was closed, but the interviews have been inconclusive.