Incident Summary
On January 9, 2018, a Cessna C-152 operated by Aeroklub Warszawski was conducting a flight from EPBC to EPGY. The crew consisted of a pilot and an instructor. During descent from 4,000 feet approximately 10 nautical miles from EPGY, at a speed of about 100 knots, the right door partially opened at the hinge. The upper section of the door separated about 7 centimeters from the door frame.
Response and Landing
The crew decided to return to EPBC. The door was secured with a shoulder harness to prevent further opening, and airspeed was reduced. The landing was completed without further incident.
Cause
The incident was caused by a crack in the door reinforcement in the middle front section. This crack prevented the lock from engaging properly in the upper front part of the frame. The crack was not visible due to the installed upholstery.
Preventive Actions
The operator issued a safety bulletin informing pilots, employees, and members of Aeroklub Warszawski about the incident. The event was also discussed at the annual Flight Safety Conference of Aeroklub Warszawski.
Safety Recommendations
No safety recommendations were made by the investigation commission.