I am well aware that the average human is unable to open plug doors in flight due to pressurization of the cabin. I've noticed, however, a "cabin pressure" warning light in the window of exit doors, and specific instructions to not try to open the door when the light is on. Is there an actual danger of someone outside the aircraft being able to release something in or around the door while the cabin is under pressure, or is the light simply to indicate why they would be unable to move the handle?
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
2
-
$\begingroup$ Many doors are not plug-type these days though. Airbus doors open outward. $\endgroup$– Jan HudecFeb 13, 2020 at 7:11
-
3$\begingroup$ Doors opening outwards does not mean they’re non-plug. Both Boeing and Airbus use outward-opening plug doors. They only exception I can remember is the Boeing 767 which has inwards-opening plug doors for the main doors. $\endgroup$– RACFeb 13, 2020 at 11:03
Add a comment
|
2 Answers
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
3
It is there to prevent "violent door openings":
(figure 1b source)
In some abnormal cases, outflow valves can remain closed, when the aircraft is on the ground, causing the air pressure in the cabin to be higher than the ambient air pressure outside the aircraft (fig.1b). In this case, there is a risk that an aircraft door could violently open and injure the operator or damage the aircraft.
(fig 2 source)
The Residual Pressure Warning Light (fig.2), part of the residual pressure warning function, warns anyone who wants to open a door if the aircraft is pressurized. This device is installed on all Airbus aircraft except for some A300, A310 and A300-600 where it was offered as an option. On these aircraft not fitted with the warning light, a caution placard located on the door reminds the operator of the risk that residual pressure may cause violent door opening.
This brief from Airbus has a lot of good info on residual cabin pressure as well.
-
5$\begingroup$ Huh! Unlike the slide warning indicators, I always assumed the light was just for emergency access, and not something used at the gate. Makes sense! Especially helpful that there's a logic diagram for when it's active on that linked page, because I noticed that it never illuminated on normal flights so I assumed it only activated when doors were unlocked or something. $\endgroup$ Feb 13, 2020 at 1:29
-
3$\begingroup$ People don't realize that a "small" pressure difference can result in a very big force, over an large area like a door. The warning pressure level of 2.5mb gives a force of abut 5 pounds per square foot. The total force on a pressurized door could be 100 pounds or more, which is not something the door-opener wants to discover unexpectedly when the latch is released. $\endgroup$ Feb 13, 2020 at 14:54
-
$\begingroup$
$\endgroup$
1
Is there a real danger? Yes, there is. A private jet pilot was killed when hit by a door at Kittilä, Finland, 2018.
The aircraft had arrived in Kittilä two days before and was about to take off for a positioning flight without passengers. During these two days the aircraft was parked outside. Considering the season, the weather was usual. On the day of the arrival it was lightly snowing and the temperature was -5 °C; on the day of the accident the temperature was -22 °C.
On the day of the arrival the captain completed the final cockpit procedures alone while the co-pilot was outside putting on the aircraft’s external engine and sensor covers. At this point, the captain, apparently, closed the outflow valve because of the blowing snow.
On the day of the departure the co-pilot placed the aircrew’s baggage into the rear baggage compartment and began to remove snow. The captain and the cabin attendant boarded the aircraft. The captain started the APU which generates bleed air for heating the cabin and electricity for aircraft systems. The captain selected APU bleed air to be ducted into the cabin. Following this, the captain went outside to assist the co-pilot in removing snow and frost.
A moment later the captain went back inside to fetch a pair of gloves. When he came back out, he closed the door. A little later the cabin assistant inside the cabin felt pressure in her chest and ears. She went into the cockpit and knocked on the window to get the attention of the pilots. The pilots discontinued the snow removal. The captain opened the door which, owing to the significant differential pressure between the cabin and the outside, blew open with excessive force, hitting the captain and knocking him to the ground. The pressure wave also knocked the co-pilot down.
Full investigation report: https://www.turvallisuustutkinta.fi/en/index/tutkintaselostukset/ilmailuonnettomuuksientutkinta/tutkintaselostuksetvuosittain/2018/l2018-01ilma-aluksenpaallikonkuolemaanjohtanutonnettomuuskittilanlentoasemalla4.1.2018.html
-
$\begingroup$ "Is there a danger" is in relation to the ability of a human to open a plug door while under pressure. Accepted answer brings up residual pressure, which is the case where the plug door could be opened while "pressurized". While this is an example of violent door opening due to pressure while on the ground, it is unclear that this example addresses the question of plug doors. $\endgroup$ Feb 14, 2020 at 19:06