Should I go with stock Van's Kit or is some other switch or system better?
Gerald
+1 for vans stock indicators. Just be certain you use them every time.
Jim Berry
Rv-10
Should I go with stock Van's Kit or is some other switch or system better?
Gerald
Which is exactly why magnetic switches were used in the kit supplied warning system... to confirm that pins actually are fully engaged in the cabin frame, not just fully extended.
Jesse, I fully respect the experience you have working with a few RV-10's, but I stand by my statement. It can't happen if the door and latching system is installed properly. If you say it happened to you, then it is my opinion that the door latching system was not installed properly on that airplane.
The magnetic switches were installed per the plans and the door was fully closed wi the pins in the holes correctly and the lights were off. The roll pin at the handle is where the problem was. Wen you push the button on the handle, that roll pin slides out of the slot, them the pressure sucking out on the door puts enough force on the pins that the handle turns and retracts the pins and the door comes open. As I said, it was a stock installation and the door was fully closed. My original post and point still sands, the door needs a secondary safety to keep it from coming open or to keep it from coming off if it comes open.
Jesse,
I have a feeling (and I tried to mention this in my other post) that since this occured , most likely the tappered/ramped portion of the ends of the pins were not fully extended through the holes in the fuselage. In this situation, the pull load on the door would cause the tappered area on the pin to push the pins towards the unlatched/retracted position.
As mentioned before, I have tested the door latch system in flight, and and found that the door will not unlatch just from pushing the release button on the door handle, if the pins are fully engaged in the fuselage as designed.
No argument regarding the secondary safety latch... people make mistakes... that is why Van's Aircraft supplies one in the kit.
most likely the tapered/ramped portion of the ends of the pins were not fully extended through the holes in the fuselage. In this situation, the pull load on the door would cause the tapered area on the pin to push the pins towards the unlatched/retracted position.
Received call from FAA and answered his questions and only made corrections as needed, really did not offer any other information. Now he want to see aircraft this Friday and see aircraft log books, etc. Was offended that I had not contacted them and that that I had already started work (not me but an A&P) on the door. Undecided if he want to call it an accident or incident.
Advice?
Gerald
1. Immediately, I mean now (it is already late), file an ASRS report with NASA.
2. When you meet the inspector, be polite. Say that you followed bad advice from an internet forum that this did not constitute a reportable incident under part 830. Be polite. Do not mention at this time that you filed the ASRS report. Be polite.
Don't bother with the claim if I were you. For such a small amount $$ to be out, that small claim will stay with you forever and could cause you problems down the road.
Excellent job handling your door off emergency!
Looking at your pictures it appears that you have a clean break from the rear.
I believe your rear pin was not engaged into any part of the fuselage.
Had your door separated from the top due to a fiberglass failure you would at least show some damage to the pin area front and back. The door would have been flopping around with the pins still engaged and finally come loose after enough flexing outside of the door frame.
I see no damage in those areas and having the rear pin not engaged allows the door to come off without tearing up the bottom end.
I am firmly in the camp of non believers of multiple safety mechanisms.
I have Van's stock door lock, (no center latch), aluminum guides and safety lights as per Vans instructions.
One of the leading causes of engine failures is still fuel starvation despite all the bells and whistles honking at us.
I am not accusing you of anything but the PIC must ensure that both doors are closed and locked.
I do exactly the same
I deliberately installed the lights front and center outside of the EFIS clutter
to make sure they stand out
I did install a handle on the rear bottom of the door to assist in ensuring positive engagement of the rear pin.