Door Opening in flight?

[jhickam]

I had the door open on my 337G a few years ago on climb out at 120 mph and it did not cause any damage. The shop adjusted the linkage so it cams over with more tension and no problems since.

[edasmus]

I have always been worried about that door on my 337G. I could imagine a scenario where much damage occurs after the door departs and starts destroying everything in its path. I think the older style doors on the pre-1973 models are superior.

A few years ago I had my shop completely disassemble the door latching system. I still wasn't satisfied. My IA installed a small locking cable to the airframe which has a quick release pin on the other end. He drilled a small hole in the door handle and as long as the PILOT gets the door physically closed correctly and moves the door handle forward to the latched position, this pin locks into the door handle physically preventing the handle from moving aft and unlatching the door. This is in addition to the Cessna "button" that is supposed to the do the same thing. It would take me one second longer (if that) in an emergency to exit the airplane as a result of this additional lock and nobody is allowed to touch it except me. I always brief passengers and have them unlock it before we start up so they understand how it works but then I always do the final door closing before we fly.

I have a difficult time believing the 1973 and later doors have not experienced this problem many times. It always looked like a week spot to me. I am not familiar with the latches on the P-models but I had always hoped they were better then the latch on my non-P model. Apparently not. Frankly I am surprised there is not an A.D. on the issue.

I would be interested to here more details of the event should they become available.

I am glad everyone was OK.

Ed

[jchronic]

Scary stuff. I'd be more worried about rear prop and empennage damage than the wing getting dented. A door coming off and hitting a critical spot back there could easily be catastrophic within a few seconds. I won't even let clients mount things on my struts.

Happy with my 'D' model.........

Joe

[hharney]

It's just a good reminder for all owners and maintenance personal to do a really good check on doors, latching mech., seals, release's, etc. Especially on the P models.

I have heard stories about the P model doors and damaged latch mechanism that prevents the door from opening. Something about someone stuck on the ramp, really hot day and can't get the door open. There is no other exit???? I am trying to remember, is there a window exit? I don't think so, not sure how the approval allowed that. Even the 340 and 400 series have a window exit.

First trip yesterday in the Navajo that the company I fly for acquired. I sat in the hangar and practiced the door several times just so I would know how to use it. Flew to CAD from Z98, really cold out (like 5 degrees F) and when we landed CAD the door would not open. I didn't know what to do, thought we were going to pop the E window when the owner of the plane finally got it open by using some brute force. Door worked fine the rest of the day. I think it may have been ice but not sure. Anyway, enough said let's check the late model doors close and leave some feedback if anyone finds anything.

[edasmus]

My 1973 337G has a window exit. I believe any 5 seat or more aircraft is required to have two exits. In the pre-1973 337 models, the baggage door counts as the second exit. In the 1973 or later models, no baggage exit existed. This is when the window exits were installed. I am not positive but I believe this was the certification requirement. Comments to verify?

Ed

[jhickam]

I believe all P models are certified for 5 seats due to the only one exit. Any aircraft with 6 or more must have atleast 2 exits from the cabin.