CASA issues aircraft door warning for General Aviation

CASA has warned General Aviation pilots, operators and maintenance organisations about the dangers of aircraft doors inadvertently opening during flight.

The warning, which applies to all single and twin piston engine aircraft, comes after a number of reports of doors inadvertently coming open on unpressurised aircraft, forcing them to return to base and in some cases declare an emergency.

Recent independent research by Transport Canada has linked the opening of doors in flight to fatal piston engine aircraft accidents. Doors and hatches come open due to two reasons – being incorrectly closed, and wear and tear of the locking mechanism that prevents proper closure.

In an newly released airworthiness bulletin, CASA says aircraft operators and maintainers should take a number of actions to ensure this doesn’t happen to them.

“All doors and hatches must be inspected to make sure the wear of the locking mechanism is within acceptable limits and they lock with a positive action,” the regulator advises. “A check should also be done to ensure doors still meet the original type certification design. Maintenance personnel who are undertaking periodic inspections should check to see all placards setting out door operating instructions are present and clearly visible.

“Aircraft operators should make sure pilots are aware of the requirement to confirm all doors and hatches are secure before aircraft engines are started. Operators also have a responsibility to ensure passengers are briefed correctly on the operation of doors, especially where a passenger sits at the only access door.”

In addition, CASA also recommends that operators provide pilots with training on the procedures to follow if a door comes open during flight.

To read CASA’s airworthiness bulletin on door safety click here.