Emergency door opened on plane whilst airborne

[LittleInch]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...-plane-door-opened-mid-flight-asiana-airlines

Seems the plane, an A321, was only 200ft off the ground so I can only assume the inside air pressure was the same as outside as normally everyone says you can't open the door in flight??

So no one would be "sucked out", but isn't there some way to prevent this?

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[dik]

...maybe to a boater. Up is elevation (I assume above sea level).

-----*****-----
So strange to see the singularity approaching while the entire planet is rapidly turning into a hellscape. -John Coates

-Dik

 

[LittleInch]

I think I had seen that graph somewhere as well. the 0.1 psi on a door amounts to about 110 to 120 kg force which would still be difficult to pull in.

My understanding though of that particular door, though I may be incorrect, is that it uses essentially a pin and angled guide arrangement to seal the door as the door moves down.

So assuming a 0.3 friction factor it would only need approx. 35kg of force to start it moving up to release which is well within the capabilities of a stressed individual and perhaps much less if the mechanism has some sort of lever arm action?

Of course at altitude when you have even 2 or 3 psi, that force becomes un feasible for anyone to shift the door.

I can vouch for the 7-8000 ft internal altitude as I once took my skydiving altimeter with me in the plane as I didn't want it going round the clock three times ( they go 0-12,000 ft in one sweep) and it sat at about 7,500ft at top of climb.

Just very surprised this doesn't seem to have happened before now given the millions of flights. Maybe they will start to put flight crew next to those doors?

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[waross]

Maybe they will start to put flight crew next to those doors?

Like this? grin

For the 45 minute flight, the door was held closed by a mechanic sitting on a wooden box on the floor beside the door.

I kept wondering if an air pocket may suck both door and mechanic outward.
(That would suck!)

--------------------
Ohm's law
Not just a good idea;
It's the LAW!

 

[ctopher]

I worked at McD-Douglas/Boeing around aircraft. I did a couple cabin simulator runs.
I always thought they should put some type of switch in the landing gear, when up, a secondary lock for all doors. Unlocks at landing.

Chris, CSWP
SolidWorks
ctophers home

 

[SnTMan]

Long as you don't have to ditch or something

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand