SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-door-opens-in-flight

A cabin door pops open right after liftoff. What does the FAA say to do?

Fly the airplane, fly a normal pattern and land normally.

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  1. Unbuckle and reach over to close it
  2. Turn back steeply to land at once
  3. Fly a normal pattern and land normally ✔

Why: An open door seldom affects the airplane's ability to fly. The AFH says don't rush, leave the door alone, keep your belts on and fly a normal pattern and landing.

Huh, didn't know that: The AFH says accidents are almost never caused by the open door, but by the pilot getting distracted.

The dad joke
Our cabin door opened in flight. My passenger asked if that was the in-flight entertainment.
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References

Answer: Fly a normal pattern and land normally. An open door seldom affects the airplane's ability to fly. The AFH says don't rush, leave the door alone, keep your belts on and fly a normal pattern and landing.

  1. Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3C, Chapter 18 www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/19_afh_ch18.pdf
    If the door opens after lift-off, do not rush to land. Climb to normal traffic pattern altitude, fly a normal traffic pattern
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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