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Unread 04-25-09, 05:52 PM
edasmus edasmus is offline
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Interesting about the doors popping open on your 73G models. I have the same aircraft and have always wondered what would happen to that top door if it opened in flight. Any recollections as to the airspeeds when the door opened you guys? I have a vivid imagination and picture things like the door departing the airframe punching a hole in a fuel tank, taking out the inboard flap, taking out the rear prop, and last but not least, damaging the tail feathers. Not a pretty scene. I was so concerned about this that last annual I had my shop rebuild the latch and lock. I added a velcro tab to ensure the button is held down and my IA added a short cable that is attached to the airframe on the inside in front of the door and on the other end has a pin that locks through a hole that was drilled into the handle which when engaged holds the handle forward. The theory being if the handle stays foward regardless if it is locked with the button, the pins stay engaged and the door cannot open. I figured that not too many of these doors were opening in flight thinking if they were an AD would be in order. But hearing your stories makes me wonder. Good to know though that your doors did not depart the airframe. I am curious to the airspeeds however.

Ed
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