Open Door In Flight

Ignore distractions and focus on your primary task, flying the airplane

By David McLanahan

All accidents are senseless, but the most senseless are those that could have been prevented by 10 or 20 minutes of instruction. Loss of aircraft control because of a distraction is such an accident, and a common, predictable distraction is a door opening in flight. On most aircraft, the in-flight opening of a forward-hinged door causes no serious change in aerodynamics or handling. The problem is psychological, caused by increased cockpit noise, the whirlwind blowing about the pilot's head, and, of course, the major uncertainty as to what has happened.

In the worst case, the pilot panics and stops flying the airplane right there, during takeoff, at an altitude of 10 feet and a speed too few knots above stall. This isn't prudent. Even if the pilot retains control but is distracted and gives closing the door high priority, the future is dim. The first thing to do when the door opens is to recognize what's happened and realize it's not a major problem.

Typically, aircraft integrity is not threatened, and, as all occupants are belted in (aren't they?), no one can fall out. As a practical matter, the door will open about three or four inches and stay there. Aerodynamic forces and propeller slipstream will resist efforts either to open the door further or to close it.

In spite of the noise, wind, flying maps, dust, and notes in the cockpit, the plane will fly normally. In fact, while it may not be pleasant, it's quite practical to proceed with the flight in that configuration. (The FAA authorizes flying with the door completely removed for a large number of specifically named aircraft.)

If a door opens in flight, particularly on takeoff, ignore it! Fly the airplane. Stay in the pattern, and then land and close the door (it would be prudent to determine why the door opened before taking off again). If, for some reason you can't return and land, depart the pattern normally, get into straight and level flight at a safe altitude and check traffic. Then think about closing the door. Even at altitude, this can be hazardous because of the distraction and inadvertent control movement caused by reaching around or across the cockpit, especially if your vision is diverted.

Be aware that you'll need to exert some force - you're dealing with up to 10 square feet of "wing" there, and it's in the propwash. This says you need something substantial to grab, and the farther back on the door your grip is, the more leverage you'll have.

As an example, here's the procedure I suggest for the right door of a Cessna 172 flown solo from the left. Adapt it for your aircraft.

Ignore the open door, climb to a safe altitude (as, say, for stall practice).
In straight-and-level flight with traffic checked (and reduced power if you prefer), glance over at the window handle, then reach over and grab it.
While holding the handle, turn your attention back to flying. In turning your body, you may have put in an unintended control motion. Recover from the unusual attitude if necessary and recheck traffic.
Now, without taking your attention from flying, turn the window latch and open the window, holding the latch to keep the window from banging against its retainer. Opening the window gives you a handhold while equalizing the air pressure. (Open pilot's wing windows to close the door on bigger aircraft.)
Then, after again recovering from the unusual attitude, reach through the window opening, grab the door near the rear, pull it closed and latch it properly.

Reading about this is useful, but nothing beats first-hand experience. The next time you fly with an instructor, give the cabin a touch with a whisk-broom, stow the maps and papers, and learn! For the first time, get into straight-and-level flight at a safe altitude and have the instructor release the door latch on a countdown. Concentrate on flying and savor the experience of the noise and wind. Have the instructor do it as a surprise the next time, repeating until you get to the, "Oh, that again!" stage. (This actual open-door training is part of the American Bonanza Society's Pilot Proficiency Training program.)

At 30 seconds per pop (literally!) this should account for less than five minutes of dual. (The rest of the 10 to 20 minutes mentioned in the opening paragraph is for reading this article.) If you have a "significant other" with whom you often fly, check him or her out in this. It'll allay panic for your companion, who can cope with the door while you fly.