Service Bulletin (RV-10 Install Door Safety Latch)

[DeltaRomeo]

Just posted on the mothership.

SB 10-1-4: http://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/sb10-1-4.pdf

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Screencaptures of the SB....

[Ron B.]

Any more information on the safety latches? Anyone know how big a job this is?

[Phil]

It is my understanding that it improves on this design.

http://img177.imageshack.us/i/imgp39462nm1.jpg/

http://img217.imageshack.us/i/imgp39442xo6.jpg/

Long over due, just glad we only lost some horizontal stabs and not some pilots and passengers. Thanks to Van for addressing the issue!

It's been flying on a some -10's in beta form for a little while. It can be opened from the outside. I've heard rumors that it takes 8-10 hours to fabricate and install parts on both doors. The retro fitting process was pretty straight forward on some finished and painted doors.

[RudiGreyling]

Ditto, I'd like to see some pictures of the real thing too...I guess soon people will start to do it as soon as they get parts, then please post.

Regards,
Rudi

[TSwezey]

Have there been any failures lately or should I say lost doors lately? Has anyone tried flying with these safety latch only engaged? Just wondering if the new safety latch will hold by itself.

[Janekom]

Yep - long overdue!
RH door lost about a month ago here in Dark Africa as well. Door landed on a nice piece of lawn in front of a house on a farm (ranch for you guys) and was recovered with minimal damage and put back.

Am I right to say that ALL door departures was on the RH sides? It seems like that anyway. That in itself tells a story. I am now closing the RH door from the OUTSIDE before getting in myself.

[Phil]

The last one in the US that I know of occurred in Missouri about 2 months ago.

[Geico266]

Long, long over due. The RV-10 community has known about this for years. I talked to -10 driver that have lost the door and have it hit and stay on the horizontal stabilizer. The man and his passenger was very lucky to have landed and survived.

I have a sign on the right door that says only the PIC can close and lock this door, and I close if from the outside. I never trust the lights, too hard to see IMHO. I physically reach back and touch the locking pin that goes through the frame, and push on both doors to make sure the pins are properly engaged.

I certainly will be installing the latches also.

It is interesting to me that the Service Bulletin says to "Complete Prior To Next Flight", but I don't believe the kits are available yet. I'm not trying to be critical, just pointing this out. The entire RV-10 fleet is grounded if you abide by the SB.

[TroyBranch]

Originally Posted by Geico266

I have a sign on the right door that says only the PIC can close and lock this door, and I close if from the outside. I never trust the lights, too hard to see IMHO. I phyically reach back and touch the locking pin that goes through the frame, and push on both doors to make sure the pins are properly engaged.

I do the same and will continue closing the doors for the passengers on the outside and checking the pin before start up and again before takeoff even with the SB. This door coming off sounds real scary so one should never take it lightly. To me it is the most important thing than any other preflight check. If it happened, I am sure it would be the last time the passenger would want to fly with me

[Ramendala]

On another note...anybody know if Van is working on a door redesign? THis has probably been talked about before.

Ryan