Doors popping open in flight

bob wrote:

I've only flow small single engines and had NO IDEA how serious this could
be. They don't teach you that in flight school. Or is it because single
engines with only one door do not react the same as the twins.

Tell me the straight skinny so I know next time I go flying.

Pilot distraction is probably the only real danger in these cases, single
engine or twin. A cool head and proper prioritization will prevail every
time.

I fly a Bonanza V35 and have had the door pop open, the cargo door pop
open, and even the passenger window (second row of seats) pop completely
open and lock outward with a 5 year old child sitting next to it while
launching into IMC.

The door and the cargo door only open a fraction of an inch, due to the
slip stream and the only distraction here is a loud, cold cockpit. In
these cases the pilot must put the distraction on the back burner, fly the
aircraft, and decide to either land immediately and close the door on the
ground or continue to the destination with the noise and free air
conditioning.

With regards to the window opening, this initially scared the poop out of
me because it did so with a very loud BOOM seconds after liftoff. With a
child sitting next to the window and the fact that it was all the way open,
I decided to level and stabilize the aircraft, engage the AP, and attempt
one shot at closing it.

I then called ATC to request the level off and left turn away from the
departure corridor (class C airport) and explained that the window had just
opened. Upon approval I engaged the AP and monitored the aircraft for 30
seconds to ensure altitude and airspeed were stable. Once I was
comfortable that the aircraft was flying with the AP, I unbuckled, reached
around to the right rear passenger seat, grabbed the bar, and with way too
much force (thinking the slip stream would put up a fight), slammed the
window home and locked. It was actually pretty easy and quick.

Another call to ATC informing him of my success and we were again on our
way.

--
Peter

Peter R. wrote:
bob wrote:

I've only flow small single engines and had NO IDEA how serious this could
be. They don't teach you that in flight school. Or is it because single
engines with only one door do not react the same as the twins.

Tell me the straight skinny so I know next time I go flying.

Pilot distraction is probably the only real danger in these cases, single
engine or twin. A cool head and proper prioritization will prevail every
time.
...
I agree with the pilot distraction comment. In fact, my seaplane
instructor advised me to be certain both doors (C172) were unlocked and
ready to open quickly. Things can happen fairly fast and sometimes you
have to use the right seat to approach a dock or to hook a mooring.