jetdriven Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 Our bag door key and ignition are different, but on the same ring. The latch on ours feels cheesy, it doesnt exactly snap closed. It feels springy even when locked. I can see it vibrating open in flight. Quote
JaredDavis Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 I showed a m20L and a early m20C baggage latch design in the earlier post. Sorry to confuse the issue. Does anyone have a baggage door diagram of the later C models (m20C serial 20-1240+) with an internal release handle from the factory? The previous owner mentioned the plane was re-keyed. I can't find a log entry. I wonder if I have a bad lock or a newer design that forces the door to be locked? I would like to investigate having the later M20C baggage door with internal release handle installed on my plane. Any suggestions? Quote
flight2000 Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 I'd get that looked at. Your latch is the same as mine, and there is no way that puppy is coming open in flight via vibrations, expecially if it's locked. I have to strong arm the thing closed at times. It's a tough little latch, that's for sure. Brian Quote
flyboy0681 Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 I verified on my J that the inside latch opens even if it's locked on the outside. After reading an article recently in MAPA about an in-flight opening and the subsequent damage it caused, I always lock it. Quote
jetdriven Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 We arent the only ones discussing it. http://www.mooney.org.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=68&view=previous Quote
ahe Posted October 3, 2011 Report Posted October 3, 2011 If you have a short body Mooney you can pull the seat back, reach the bagage door and check it is closed before engine start. I do it at "check doors" at the checklist. It should ofcaouse already be latched, but things happens - takes 2 seconds to double check. Quote
DaV8or Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 Quote: JaredDavis The previous owner mentioned the plane was re-keyed. I can't find a log entry. I wonder if I have a bad lock or a newer design that forces the door to be locked? Quote
Vref Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 Quote: jetdriven Jared, that looks different than mine does and I have a J. Come to think of it, I haven't seen this style of latch on any other J either, is it the wrong one for the plane? Quote
JaredDavis Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 The pilot of this plane was OK. One of the articles states they tried the main door then broke a weakened plexiglass window to pull the pilot out. I don't think a baggage door exit would have made a difference on this accident. http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2011/10/mooney-m20-aircraft-on-takeoff-crashes.html Has anyone kicked out a window on a Mooney? Quote
Shadrach Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 Quote: JaredDavis The pilot of this plane was OK. One of the articles states they tried the main door then broke a weakened plexiglass window to pull the pilot out. I don't think a baggage door exit would have made a difference on this accident. http://www.kathrynsreport.com/2011/10/mooney-m20-aircraft-on-takeoff-crashes.html Has anyone kicked out a window on a Mooney? Quote
flyboy0681 Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 I think this one of our greatest fears not only as Mooney owners but Piper's as well. And the complex locking mechanism behind the plastic doesn't make the situation any better even if the frame doesn't bend enough to impede its opening. Thankfully situations like this are far and few between. Quote
JaredDavis Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 It's another demonstration that a steel tube structure is nice to have on a plane. I'm just trying to figure out if I need to put something in the plane to help me break a .25" plexiglass(?) window (is it 2 x .125?) Quote
fantom Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 I have one of these in my side pocket. Don't know if I'd have time to use it before I drowned or burned up, but I'm sure my butt would have a difficult time following the rest of my body out the baggage door ;-) Quote
JaredDavis Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 I thought those rescue type hammers were for saftey glass. One good hit and the glass will shatter due to the stress added during manufacturing. Plexiglass, in my very limited experience, is not so easy to break. Quote
fantom Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 Quote: JaredDavis Plexiglass, in my very limited experience, is not so easy to break. Quote
carusoam Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 Old plexiglas (acrylic) is somewhat brittle. Even new stuff is not impact resistant. The simple act of drilling it with an incorrect bit causes it to crack. Bird strikes seem to come right through. It is nowhere near as strong as polycarbonate. On the otherhand, trying to bust it out while upside down and on fire is still going to take some effort. ....don't give up. -a- Quote
Seth Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 Quote: fantom You're right of course. Mine's going back in the car, but don't tell my wife who gave this stocking stuffer to me last Christmas. Window punches or hammers are only good for tempered glass, not Plexiglass or even laminate glass such as your car's front windshield. For that you need a real axe or hatchet, or a saw. I would trust my elbow more than a hammer, assuming my legs are busted up. I DO carry a 3.75" partially serrated pocket knife with a seatbelt cutter and window punch. Me thinks we need a thread on safety items we fly with.....and I'm not talking about you guys with five GPS's Quote
DaV8or Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 Quote: flyboy0681 Or a pebble coming off a dump truck in front of you. Quote
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