Door fell off in Brazil - Page 2

Moura · #11 10-01-2011, 04:10 PM

I have "check doors closed" twice in my check-list. Before engine start and before entering runway. Just in case. I imagine that door hitting tail feathers in cruise and the damage it may incurr and the consequences scares the heck out of me.

TS Flightlines · #12 10-01-2011, 04:29 PM

Not owning a 10, and not having flown in one, what is causing the doors to come apart? Obviously the doors "cant" be latched and locked. Is this something that we need to look at for a updated design?
Tom

Mike S · #13 10-01-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TS Flightlines

Not owning a 10, and not having flown in one, what is causing the doors to come apart? Obviously the doors "cant" be latched and locked. Is this something that we need to look at for a updated design?
Tom

Old subject, has been discussed pretty much to death.

Lots of info in the search archives.

There have been at least 5 different designs for an additional latch, that I know of.

Factory has a center mounted unit, that some folks use, and some dont.

Best one out there, IMHO, is shown here.

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...ad.php?t=54032

Kyle Boatright · #14 10-01-2011, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TS Flightlines

Not owning a 10, and not having flown in one, what is causing the doors to come apart? Obviously the doors "cant" be latched and locked. Is this something that we need to look at for a updated design?
Tom

Opinion here: A top hinged door is an accident waiting to happen on a 200 mph airplane. When it pops open, there is a very high chance that it will depart the aircraft, creating the possibility of damaging the empennage, which could turn into a very serious event. Front hinged doors may swing open if not properly latched, but they rarely (never?) depart the aircraft.

Van's would do well to redesign the doors so they are front hinged. You can't idiot proof the current design that requires the door to be properly latched for the door to stay attached to the aircraft.

TSwezey · #15 10-01-2011, 06:54 PM

When the doors are properly latched they will not open in flight. I had an 80 lb dog test it and when my plane exploded the windows blew out but I still had to open the door to get out.

Kyle Boatright · #16 10-01-2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSwezey

When the doors are properly latched they will not open in flight. I had an 80 lb dog test it and when my plane exploded the windows blew out but I still had to open the door to get out.

Nobody disagrees with that.

The problem is that people continue to take off with them not properly latched. That isn't going to change. Front hinging the doors eliminates most of that risk.

It goes back to the concept that every time you think you've idiot proofed something, a bigger idiot comes along.

N427EF · #17 10-01-2011, 09:10 PM

You could just stay on the ground and eliminate all the risk.

You are free to design a front hinged door if it makes you feel comfortable,
just don't place that burden on Van.
As far as I know, no injuries have resulted from the loss of a door on an RV-10 and the resulting damage can be repaired. Some bruised egos I would assume.

So far the greatest cause of damage and accidents in RV-10s has been fuel.
I suppose you are going to demand that Van design the fuel out of the system.

Bob Kuykendall · #18 10-01-2011, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSwezey

...and when my plane exploded...

Boy, not many people get to use that turn of phrase!

tc1234c · #19 10-02-2011, 04:31 AM

When my cabin was filled with smoke I knew I could open the door and let it fly away. That gave me a clear view to my left and allowed me to find a site to land. In a front hinged door I would be in a bigger trouble....

For security I did install Sean's door latch kit.

Paul Thomas · #20 10-02-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TS Flightlines

Not owning a 10, and not having flown in one, what is causing the doors to come apart? Obviously the doors "cant" be latched and locked. Is this something that we need to look at for a updated design?
Tom

It's possible to improperly latch the door. I did it while we were still building so the only damage was to the paint. The rear pin actuated outside the door, likely because we were fitting the weather stripping.

Without testing that it's properly locked, or an idiot light, I wouldn't have known that it was not locked. The face of the owner was all the warning I needed; I thought I caught his fingers in the door from the pain displayed.