lml@lancaironline.net Mailing List Archive

Wolfgang,

That’s where I keep it-in the luggage compartment. On the IV series of aircraft, the luggage compartment is accessible from outside the airplane (unless someone installed its latching mechanism in the cockpit—and I have seen a couple of these).

A related tip: Consider carrying a ½” open/box wrench and Phillips screwdriver inside the cockpit at all times if you’re flying an IV/IV-P/ES. If any part of the door latching mechanism fails, these are your ticket out of the airplane without having to break something.

Bob

From: Lancair Mailing List [mailto:lml@lancaironline.net] On Behalf Of Wolfgang
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 5:47 AM
To: lml@lancaironline.net
Subject: [LML] Emergency Door Opener for IV-P

And if this wonderful tool is in the lugage compartment of the locked airplane . . . . ;-)

Wolfgang

From:	"Robert Pastusek" <rpastusek@htii.com>
Sender:	<marv@lancaironline.net>
Subject:	Emergency Door Opener for IV-P
Date:	Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:10:27 -0500
To:	lml@lancaironline.net

Gentlemen,

On Friday night I received a call from a fellow builder friend asking if I had any way to get into his airplane. Seems the door latch pin had sheared inside the cabin with the door locked, and they were debating where to drill the hole in the fuselage to be able to unlock the door. Told him he was in luck, as I had a tool specifically made to do this—although I had never used it.

On Saturday morning I recovered this little three-part device from my baggage compartment tool kit. It took all of three minutes to open his door with it. We were all impressed, and he—most thankful!

The reason I’m writing is that I bought this in 2006 or so, and don’t recall who within the Lancair community devised and constructed it. If anyone knows, would you please post the info back to me via the LML? I hope never to have to use this on my own plane, but I want to add this item to the list of “recommended tools” for the IV/IV-P airplanes, and possibly for the ES and any others that use this type door latch system.

Thanks,

Bob