Landing with an open door

[Oscar Avalle]

Last part of the saga. After a short flight that seemed like an eternity to me, I landed the plane without any issue.

 

I wanted to share with you the last 5 minutes of the flight, including the sound…

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[kerry]

I had my door pop open once.  I don't think I had it completely latched.  I was about 30 minutes into my 1.5 hour flight.  It didn't concern me much because it was only opened maybe an inch.  When watching your video I was surprised to see how far your door opened with it moving in and out.  Maybe my top latch still engage a bit.  I wanted to say you handled the situation with great skill. Thanks for the post.

[Oscar Avalle]

On 12/12/2022 at 9:53 PM, kerry said:

I had my door pop open once.  I don't think I had it completely latched.  I was about 30 minutes into my 1.5 hour flight.  It didn't concern me much because it was only opened maybe an inch.  When watching your video I was surprised to see how far your door opened with it moving in and out.  Maybe my top latch still engage a bit.  I wanted to say you handled the situation with great skill. Thanks for the post.

Yes, the door opened fully. The upper latch did not stay engaged. After I landed I asked my AP to adjust the door and to make sure that the upper latch was working well.

[Jerry 5TJ]

The door on my C popped at takeoff once.  I’d let my passenger close the door, my mistake.   I didn’t even try to close it in flight, just flew a normal pattern, landed, and closed the door properly.   A bit noisy but no problem with controlling the plane, none at all.  

[jamesm]

Good concentration. Thanks it confirms what I heard about the door opening in flight on Mooney's. I have had  the door open  a couple of times but I reached over grabbed it before it stayed open too long. I have since then  pull a spring on latch so the handle has a little tension on it.

[Hector]

It’s happened probably 3 times, always when I let someone else close the door. No more, Only I will close the door. No big deal, just land. Do not try to close the door in flight, it is just too hard. I did notice a significant increase in drag but otherwise handling not terribly affected


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Oscar Avalle]

Good concentration. Thanks it confirms what I heard about the door opening in flight on Mooney's. I have had  the door open  a couple of times but I reached over grabbed it before it stayed open too long. I have since then  pull a spring on latch so the handle has a little tension on it.

How did you do that? I feel that mu handle does not have enough tension


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[jamesm]

Holy smokes... I actually found the photo  after going through 2 phones of pictures. maybe not greatest photo.

 

[Raymond J1]

For my F, necessary also to replace the springs of the latch.

[Oscar Avalle]

Holy smokes... I actually found the photo  after going through 2 phones of pictures. maybe not greatest photo.
 

Thank you!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[jamesm]

My rational for installing it is to hopefully keep the first time nervous flyer passenger at ease.   It doesn't look too professional if I told the first time flyer. If the door opens in flight and I tell them don't worry about it.

[Pinecone]

Hmm, I used to pop a window on takeoff with a student close to solo (Cessna).

If you want to try to close it in flight, 1) CLIMB, 2) a nice full left rudder slip may just about close it.

When I did my helicopter rated, if the weather was nice, the doors were not even installed.  And I have a few hours in Super Cubs, and on nice days, the door/window was open.

[201er]

On 12/12/2022 at 5:41 PM, Oscar Avalle said:

Last part of the saga. After a short flight that seemed like an eternity to me, I landed the plane without any issue.

Never let passengers close the door! Oh wait...

On 12/12/2022 at 5:41 PM, Oscar Avalle said:

I wanted to share with you the last 5 minutes of the flight, including the sound…

What about the previous 5 minutes of it actually popping and you're reaction? I whipped out my popcorn for no reason!

[Oscar Avalle]

What about the previous 5 minutes of it actually popping and you're reaction? I whipped out my popcorn for no reason!

Look at my previous video.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[LANCECASPER]

On 12/15/2022 at 2:07 AM, Hector said:

It’s happened probably 3 times, always when I let someone else close the door. No more, Only I will close the door. No big deal, just land. Do not try to close the door in flight, it is just too hard. I did notice a significant increase in drag but otherwise handling not terribly affected

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/warningonlythepilotplacard.php

[Raymond J1]

There is only one video left to do: Descent to Vne with open door.

[McMooney]

Had this happen to me,  dumb pilot guy didn't latch the door properly.  I gave the guy a stern talking to 8).

put her in a slight climb, reached over closed and latched the door. not a biggie

Edited December 26, 2022 by McMooney

[Mooney in Oz]

On 12/15/2022 at 4:17 AM, Oscar Avalle said:

Yes, the door opened fully. The upper latch did not stay engaged. After I landed I asked my AP to adjust the door and to make sure that the upper latch was working well.

Hello Oscar.

I'm somewhat late to the party, but first of all I just want to say, very well done! Your video should be used at Mooney and other types pilot proficiency course ground schools as an example of keeping one's cool following an abnormal occurrence and ending in a better than normal landing.

Can I just confirm one thing and that is your door opened fully in flight?  I may have misunderstood and I'm certainly not doubting you, but the reason I ask is I have never heard of the entry door fully opening in flight before in a Mooney.

I have attached a copy of the Unlatched Door In Flight checklist out of the J POH Emergency Procedures section. 

It has been years since the same happened to me twice in cruise after the interior was renovated. I did what the checklist says and other than an annoyance, it was a non event. 

If it occurred just after takeoff or close to the destination, I would have done what you did.

[Oscar Avalle]

Thank you! The door opened up fully (including the upper latch). It seems that the spring that holds the door bolt in place had broken and the vibration on take off opened the door.

I decided that given how turbulent the air was that it was not feasible to try to close the door.

I replaced the spring and since then the door has been working well.

Oscar




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Mooney in Oz]

6 minutes ago, Oscar Avalle said:

Thank you! The door opened up fully (including the upper latch). It seems that the spring that holds the door bolt in place had broken and the vibration on take off opened the door.

I decided that given how turbulent the air was that it was not feasible to try to close the door.

I replaced the spring and since then the door has been working well.

Oscar




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Thanks Oscar.

It must have been very distracting.

A good decision to just fly the aircraft in those conditions.