LOBO Training Devours the Swiss Cheese

[Dan O'Brien]

Ahh, thank you Tom. I already have rebuilding of the door in process (also effectively two skins, but with inner one broken and a need to repair it.). I’ll stick with what’s in process, but thanks very much for the offer.


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[Ryan Riley]

I understand that the IVP has 8 latches. Bob Pastusek told me that there is no way to latch it around the door frame—the hooks either close on the pins, or they don’t close, as you are saying. However, my door, which basically copies the non-pressurized IV door, only has 2 latches at the bottom, not at 8 points all around the door, and apparently, it was able to hook around the door frame. Unless the latch wasn’t closed, was held in by the door seal, and then closed when it departed. Could that have happened? My recollection is that it felt like it closed and latched. But memories can deceive. Is it possible that the evidence (the photos, the fact the latch was closed when the door was found) could be consistent with the door latch not being closed? I am puzzling about this, as you can imagine.

Dan, I'm not sure if it'd hold on that long just by the door seal. Above 60 kts, the airflow creates enough positive pressure to fully lift an unsecured door completely up. Let's say the door latched on the frame and not on the pins. I think you would have gotten a lot of wind noise and door movement prior to departing. Additionally, doors not latched typically depart from the hinges due to airflow forces. Yours looks like it separated from a bonding seam. This is all spitballing from me, an non-builder.

I'd also like to commend you for flying the plane. These planes fly just fine minus a door or window, so the best thing pilots can do if they have a window blowout (IV-P) or door depart is to do what you did. Aviate - Navigate - Communicate. Great job handling a challenging emergency and sharing it with the community!