Would the IV-P door open in flight, if unlocked from a latched, initial condition?. With ground tests only, here in the hangar, it seems like Bernoulli's forces, pulling outward against the large surface area of the door, against the latch, would cause the lower hooks to remain engaged, even after the handle is fully open.. On the ground, try (pushing or) pulling outward on the door to simulate this negative pressure(inflight). It seems like the lower latch hooks could jam and interfere with a bail out attempt. This seems to be the result. if you go from fully latched, to unlocking the handles. I wonder if the incidents mentioned might have happened from a completely unlatched condition on takeoff? This is also more likely scenario, to strike the right flap?

 A concise description of such an inflight experience, and your observations of the sequence, would be very useful. Do vibrations or oscillations cause the door to separate? Was there some other structural failure of the door, causing it to open? When did it happen in the sequence of events?  It would be important guidance, in designing or considering bailout systems or egress methods, inflight.

Thanks

Bill Miller

 

From: