Why airplane doors can't be opened mid-flight

Re:Why airplane doors can't be opened mid-flight by markessien on Thursday April 16, 2009 @02:19AM (#564799)

So what if you 'unlocked' the door at high altitude, when the plane goes downwards, as soon as pressure is low enough, it will open.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why airplane doors can't be opened mid-flight by ojbyrne on Thursday April 16, 2009 @04:50AM (#564915)

Obviously this wouldn't apply at low altitudes - i.e. it would be possible to open the door because the difference between internal and external pressures would be less. But then people wouldn't have to worry about being sucked out the door either.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why airplane doors can't be opened mid-flight by jvdh on Thursday April 16, 2009 @03:05AM (#564850)

What do you mean 'unlock' ?

The story plainly tells you that the whole door is designed in such a way that the door wont go anywhere unless the pressure on both sides is equalized.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Why airplane doors can't be opened mid-flight by markessien on Thursday April 16, 2009 @06:09AM (#564958)

You can unlock the door by turning the handle. You won't be able to get it open, but it's unlocked. So when the pressure stabilizes, the door can easily be opened.

[ Parent | on HN ]