I may be wrong here, but I thought the design of the DC-10 cargo door and the MD-11 cargo door really wasn't that different?

 

Wasn't, but the problem originated in the DC-10 and was AD'd (FAA anyway) to be fixed to a certain standard that reduced the likelihood of explosive failure of the rear cargo door. The MD-11 would have had that AD built into its original design as it was a successor, to a certain degree.

Yes, it was a dc10, sorry ;)

Yes, it was a dc10, sorry ;)

 

Cool. No worries. I was just makin' sure I didn't miss something, that's all.

A little off the topic but on the DHC8, the rear cargo doors have a stop that keeps the door from closing completely until you pull the level and release the stop. The door is on a track and slides upwards. The reason for this was a rampie was working the cargo bay and the door fell on his head and killed him. I think it was at Piedmont if im not mistaken.

 

Funny how we always correct problems after there is an accident.

 

Thanks

JR

A little off the topic but on the DHC8, the rear cargo doors have a stop that keeps the door from closing completely until you pull the level and release the stop.

 

I haven't dealt with the Dash, but I know the CRJ has straps in case the counterweight fails, the ERJ has a pole, the E-Jets have a twist lock that you need to use a "cane" to twist and unlatch (it's about 10' up in the air on the raised door, so you use a hook to reach up and unlock it), the SAAB 340s door slides so far up that gravity holds it in the up position, and I'm sure there are others.

Another safety precaution present on almost all doors opening outward is the pressure equalization flap/panel, it opens inward when you are unlocking the door. If aircraft is pressurized it will not open or, when opening (for little pressure differences) it will equalize them.

It is something that prevent to have the door to hit anyone is trying to open it

I haven't dealt with the Dash, but I know the CRJ has straps in case the counterweight fails, the ERJ has a pole, the E-Jets have a twist lock that you need to use a "cane" to twist and unlatch (it's about 10' up in the air on the raised door, so you use a hook to reach up and unlock it), the SAAB 340s door slides so far up that gravity holds it in the up position, and I'm sure there are others.

 

On the CRJ700 / 900, there are 2 spools that are under high tension that the door cables wrap around. This acts as a counter weight. When you rig the door, you have to get that spool dead on. If your a 1/4 off in either direction (rotation of the spring / spool) the door will be to heavy to open or to hard to close. The DHC8's have a similar mechanism as well do many other aircraft.

 

The fun part when rigging those cargo doors, is you better have a high grade / stainless rig pin or you will blow the spool out. tightening or loosing the tension sucks.. You need alot of leverage to do any adjustments.

 

Thanks

JR

Handy-dandy tips.

I have to say, as an informed passenger rarely passing an opportunity for an exit row seat, the NG exits seem to me a much better design, in an emergency situation often to be operated by a rather clueless, often panicked passenger, compared to older Boeing design. Sentiments about not ending up with entire door in your hands, and having to do something with it before getting out, need of just pulling the lever and pushing the door, are indeed true.

I remember some pretty serious thinking going on during the early 90's regarding emergency exits. I remember a lot of the stink was some airlines/manufactures had you open the door, pull it towards you, then put it on a seat. Others had you throw it out the window right away. Some airlines said the door was too heavy and cumbersome to throw through the window. Others said it was a hazard that could block the exit. It was a bit of a crap-shoot that I'm pretty sure came about because of some late -80's accident that had ambiguous exit instructions and such.

 

Any ways the NG design in my opinion is far superior to anything I've seen. It's relatively big, and makes any question regarding door-weight a moot point. Ever try and squeeze out of the Type III exit in a Dash? Good luck getting outta there when you got panic and adrenalin everywhere ;)

When you have that one figured out, try the window exits in a Gulfsteam. Best argument there is for corporate types to lose weight.