On 10 Jun 2005 06:26:24 -0700, "Paul kgyy"
wrote:

The situation isn't the same, but I just read an article in the ABS
magazine about a Baron with VGs that became virtually uncontrollable
when the door popped open.

I assume that the Cessna door location under the wing would not cause a
similar problem, but the point of the article is that VGs are not
tested in all flight conditions (maybe couldn't be).

Door popped open?!?!?!?!

The one time I've taken off and forgotten to latch the top latch on my
Cherokee door -- we get it to latch. There was a hurricane coming in
the crack at the top of the door pressurizing the cabin and keeping
the door from closing all the way.

The guy in the right seat tried and tried to push it open to slam it
and latch it. But he couldn't push it open no matter what he tried.
I slowed to full-flap slow flight and with help from the guy in back,
he was able to get it open a couple inches and slam it.

With that in mind -- I have no idea how a Baron's door could "pop
open". It took two adult men to push the door open a few inches AND
only after I'd slowed to just above 50kt.



OK, for those wondering the rest of the story. We didn't get the door
latched at top. Someone later suggested I slip sideways to put
pressure on the door. But that didn't occur to us at the time. So,
we spent a nice 40 minute flight with a hellacious wind coming in the
top of the door. It was hitting me right in the head and my wife
behind me. Boy -- talk about some noise in the mics...



Chuck
PA28-180