Doug,
An open door on a IV (of any variant) or an ES is a very big problem. If you are lucky it will only rip the door off, miss the horz and vert stabilizers and not result in the top being opened like a tin can. As you can infer there are many things which can happen if you're not so lucky, most of which will result in loss of AC and lives.
VERIFYING THE DOOR IS FULLY AND PROPERLY LATCHED IS MANDATORY BEFORE YOU CROSS THE RUNWAY HOLD LINE!!!!
Don't trust anyone else with this verification. The handles being on the left help. Also, if the seal is inflated the door is very hard to open, but don't bet that it will save you.
I know of a case where a door ended up laying in the middle of a RDM runway and the pilot was able to land safely. The damage was limited probably due to being at TO speeds.
I'm sure others will chime in.
Paul Bricker
Hi List Has anyone had the fun of forgetting to properly latch the door and have it pop open on a IV/IVP/Propjet? I haven't done so to date, but am curious if anyone knows the result. I have had door open on Bonanza prior & was really no big deal other than noisy. Wondering if same on Lancair. Doug Owen |