Shock! Horror! Door pops open!

On Sun, 17 Apr 2005 03:23:30 GMT, George Patterson
wrote:

Mortimer Schnerd, RN wrote:
George Patterson wrote:

An empty gas tank is much more explosive than one with fuel in it.

Yes, but then there's nothing to burn.

James said "explosion."

But an empty tank full of fumes is above the UEL and is unlikely to
cause an explosion or fire in a crash. If the tank ruptures the fumes
will most likely dissipate quickly.

If I have to go down hard, I'd much rather do it with empty tanks, but
being paranoid about fuel I'd probably even have gas in the thermos
bottle. :-))

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

George Patterson
There's plenty of room for all of God's creatures. Right next to the
mashed potatoes.

"Capt.Doug" writes:

"Kyler Laird" wrote in message
I've not had the door pop open when I've been flying
alone. It'd be interesting.

How would it differ?

Not having someone to hold it steady would leave it to flop freely.
The flopping seems to be what causes the plane to waggle. (I'm
tempted to try it in a controlled situation with someone other than
my wife sitting by the door.)

Anyone want to talk about the piece of piano wire that actuates the
Aztec's door pins?

The main hinges use a .375" rod. Common causes of doors opening in flight
are from letting the passenger close them.

Yup, but I've had the wire break and watching Lake Michigan through the
resulting gap was a little disconcerting.

--kyler

"Kyler Laird" wrote in message
I've not had the door pop open when I've been flying
alone. It'd be interesting.


Not having someone to hold it steady would leave it to flop freely.
The flopping seems to be what causes the plane to waggle. (I'm
tempted to try it in a controlled situation with someone other than
my wife sitting by the door.)


Kyler,

I have had the door pop open on me in an Apache, which is the same basic
fuselage as the Aztec. The door will open about six inches or so measured
at the back edge. It does NOT flop around. In fact, I had a heck of a time
getting it to move either in or out by pushing and pulling on it.

They say you can get the door shut in the air when solo if you first open
the window on the pilots side to relieve the interior air pressure. All I
know is I tried everything I could think of in that darn Apache. I slipped
it, I stalled it, I opened the window, I closed the window, I went as fast
as I could ... nothing worked and I couldn't get the door to close enough
to reengage the door latch. I finally just flew to an airport and landed.
Latched the door. Took off and flew on home.

Without charts, because they had gone out the darn door when it first
opened! They were laying on the right seat. :-)

Highflyer
Highflight Aviation Services
Pinckneyville Airport ( PJY )

"Highflyer" writes:

I have had the door pop open on me in an Apache, which is the same basic
fuselage as the Aztec. The door will open about six inches or so measured
at the back edge. It does NOT flop around.

Hmmm...so maybe the difference with not having someone there to fight the
door is that it would be *less* of an event?!

This needs more study. The nights it happened to me with my family on
board did not leave me time for play.

Thanks.

--kyler

In article , "Bob Gardner" wrote:
If the door of an Aztec pops open, it will only open about 4-6 inches and
will kind of oscillate back and forth between those extremes. Causes some
tail feather buffeting. Anyone trying to pull the door shut is fighting air
pressure and wasting his or her time.

Bob Gardner

Just curious, could you do a slip to get the door closed? On my plane, I take
the doors off and fly. Who needs doors?
tom