Cape Air Flight Experiences Window Malfunction Mid-Flight

Passengers describe scary moment as plane returns safely to Nantucket

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:37pm

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A bold, geometric illustration in shades of blue and gray, depicting the towering silhouette of an airport terminal or aircraft against a sweeping gradient background, capturing the scale and drama of air travel without any literal depiction of people or text.A dramatic illustration of the Cape Air flight's window malfunction, evoking the tension and uncertainty of an in-flight emergency.Boston Today

A Cape Air flight headed to Boston from Nantucket experienced an issue during takeoff on Monday morning, as the upper portion of the main cabin door suddenly opened while the plane was in the air. Passengers captured video of the gaping hole, but the pilot was able to safely return the aircraft to Nantucket Memorial Airport, where everyone boarded a different plane.

Why it matters

In-flight emergencies like this, while rare, can understandably cause panic among passengers. However, aviation experts say the passengers were never in any real danger, as the plane was flying at a low altitude and was not pressurized. This incident highlights the importance of proper maintenance and safety procedures for small regional airlines like Cape Air.

The details

Shortly after takeoff from Nantucket Memorial Airport around 7 a.m., the upper portion of the main cabin door on the Cape Air flight suddenly opened, creating a large hole. Passenger Lizbet Fuller captured video of the incident, showing the gaping opening. Despite the alarming situation, the pilot remained calm and was able to safely return the aircraft to the Nantucket airport. Passengers Sheila Fee and Lizbet Fuller both described the tense moments on board, with Fuller saying 'we were like, 'what?' And the pilot smiled and said, 'everyone stay calm' and were like, 'okay, we're good.''

  • The incident occurred shortly after the Cape Air flight took off from Nantucket Memorial Airport around 7 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2026.
  • The plane was able to safely return to Nantucket Memorial Airport following the window malfunction.

The players

Cape Air

A regional airline that operates short-haul flights throughout the Northeastern United States, including between Nantucket and Boston.

Lizbet Fuller

A passenger on the Cape Air flight who captured video of the open window during the incident.

Sheila Fee

Another passenger on the Cape Air flight who described the tense moments on board when the window blew open.

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What they’re saying

“The half window flipped up, and then the wind came in, and we were like, 'what?' And the pilot smiled and said, 'everyone stay calm' and were like, 'okay, we're good.'”

— Lizbet Fuller, Passenger

“The woman was having trouble shutting it from the outside, that was clear, 'whoa,'”

— Sheila Fee, Passenger

What’s next

Cape Air said the aircraft has been taken out of service for further evaluation, and the airline is following all established safety procedures to determine the cause of the window malfunction and take any necessary actions.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of rigorous maintenance and safety protocols for regional airlines like Cape Air, which operate smaller aircraft on short-haul routes. While the passengers were never in serious danger, the open window during flight understandably caused alarm, highlighting the need for continued vigilance when it comes to aircraft airworthiness and passenger safety.