Wed, Feb 10, 2010
Doors Have Come Open In Flight
The FAA has issued an SAIB for Liberty Aerospace, Inc. Model
XL-2 airplanes, for an issue concerning the passenger/crew
doors.
File Photo
There have been six occurrences of a door opening in-flight on
Liberty XL-2 airplanes. In all six cases, the pilot has been able
to land the airplane safely and there is evidence the doors were
not properly latched before takeoff. The two passenger/crew
entrance doors on the XL-2 are gull wing type doors with hinges on
the top edge of the doors. If a door is not properly closed and
latched prior to flight, the airflow during flight could cause the
door to open. The open door could separate from the airplane and
could cause damage to the airplane empennage or injure someone on
the ground.
Liberty Aerospace has issued
Service Bulletin SB-09-003, dated December 15, 2009, to provide a
new rear tapered door pin for each door and to publish airplane
flight manual (AFM) revisions. The new rear tapered door pin will
allow for easier latching of the door. The AFM revisions include
additional notes and warnings in the checklists for the pilot to
check the engagement of both the front and rear door pins in their
receptacles before takeoff.
The FAA says owners and maintenance personnel should have the
new rear door pin installed on their Model XL-2 airplane in
accordance with Liberty Aerospace Service Bulletin SB-09-003, dated
December 15, 2009, with the airplane's next scheduled
maintenance. They also recommend that an updated AFM be onboard the
airplane as soon as possible. At this time, the FAA says this
condition does not warrant an AD.
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