Service difficulty report · Door Latch · Beech T42A

Difficulty date
June 21, 2024
Submitted
June 21, 2024
Operation
General aviation
Aircraft
N4540S
Make and model
Beech T42A
Aircraft serial
TC1891
Aircraft time
3,500 hours, 2,250 cycles
Part
Door Latch
Condition
Unlatched
Location
Zone 800
Part time
3,500 hours, 2,250 cycles
Stage of operation
TO
How discovered
O
Nature of condition
O
Precautionary procedure
C

As reported to the FAA. Reports are unverified, and codes are left as the FAA publishes them.

What was found

THIS WAS NOT A MECHANICAL ISSUE. MY WIFE CLOSED THE DOOR, AND I THOUGHT SHE GOT THE LAST "CLICK" THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE DOOR IS PROPERLY CLOSED. ON TAKE OFF, THE DOOR POPPED OPEN, AND AS PIC, I DECIDED TO ABORT THE TAKEOFF. I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT FLAT SPOTS ON MY TIRES, SO I ALLOWED MYSELF TO RUN OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY 20-30 YARDS. I HIT NOTHING, DAMAGED NOTHING, AND PULLED A U-TURN AND GOT BACK ON THE TAXI WAY WITH NO ISSUES, AND TAXIED BACK TO THE RUNWAY, BUT THIS TIME I CLOSED AND LOCKED THE DOOR. WE TOOK OFF WITH NO ISSUES AND RETURNED TO KEKY WITH NO ISSUES. I HAVE SINCE FLOWN THE AIRCRAFT 15-20 TIMES WITH NO DOOR ISSUES.