What If the Door Comes Open During a Flight Lesson?

Know what to do when and if it happens.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at 11:52 PM ET

Verified

The most important thing to remember in a door-opening scenario is to just fly the airplane. [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Training aircraft are unpressurized, so an open door will not cause "explosive decompression," though it will be loud and startling.
The primary action is to "fly the airplane"; do not attempt to close the door in flight. Instead, land safely as soon as practical.
Inform ATC if at a towered airport for priority, and declare an emergency if you feel your life is endangered.
You will not be sucked out if wearing your seatbelt (as required), but secure loose items in the cockpit to prevent their loss.

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Question: I am a recently soloed student pilot, and the loss of the door plug from the Boeing 737 Max 9 has me wondering what I’m supposed to do if it happens to me when I am flying solo? Do I declare an emergency? Will I get sucked out of the airplane?

Answer: As with most training aircraft, your Pipers, Cessna 100 series, Cirrus SR20/22s, and Diamonds are not pressurized, so there won’t be an “explosive decompression.” That’s not to say it won’t be loud and startling if it happens. It will.