This happened to a friend yesterday on his RV10 still in test phase. He reported to me that as it was hot he did not latch the door fully while taxing to the holding point. Only the Vans safety latch was holding the door.
If this sounds bit strange - he did not install the stainless steel plate in the door frame as per instructions so the door was not flush with only the safety latch engaged.
He also did not have an alarm system installed. He ordered one and planned to install in shortly.
He forgot to fully close the door and after levelling off at 8500 the door flew open. Id went up about half way, did about four oscillations just out of reach and then flew off.
He lost his glasses and headset. The headset was found in the back after landing. He made a safe descend and landed. The door did not damage anything on the empennage.
They are going to look for the door today using his other aircraft.
Thank God it ended safely and let us all learn from this.
If this sounds bit strange - he did not install the stainless steel plate in the door frame as per instructions so the door was not flush with only the safety latch engaged.
He also did not have an alarm system installed. He ordered one and planned to install in shortly.
He forgot to fully close the door and after levelling off at 8500 the door flew open. Id went up about half way, did about four oscillations just out of reach and then flew off.
He lost his glasses and headset. The headset was found in the back after landing. He made a safe descend and landed. The door did not damage anything on the empennage.
They are going to look for the door today using his other aircraft.
Thank God it ended safely and let us all learn from this.