EMB-175 flight crew reported they failed to secure the cockpit door for departure; citing multiple distractions as contributing.
Synopsis
EMB-175 flight crew reported they failed to secure the cockpit door for departure; citing multiple distractions as contributing.
Narrative
The day started by working a late sequence and ground stops; for that reason we had to shut down our engines to save fuel and during one of our flight control test we had negative feedback and troubleshot the issue; at the same time we were focus on monitoring the ground delays and making sure we had enough fuel for our flight. At the end by repeating this process multiple times; I end up getting distracted and failed to double check the door was secured. For this reason; the door opened during take off roll. On the second flight of the sequence; we realized the magnetic lock wasn't securing properly and we had to troubleshoot until door was secure. Although I don't want to blame the magnetic lock for the incident on the initial flight; I think it contributed to the door opening during takeoff; as well as the ground stops; bad weather and the late sequence. We had multiple distractions due to ground delays; bad weather; issues with flight control test contributed on task saturation. Late sequence; flight control test issues; and the magnetic lock not working properly contributed to the door opening during takeoff.I think making this part of our departure briefing can help on being more alert during times of potential task saturation.
Second reporter narrative
Flight started late due to late arrival of previous flight. Further delays were encountered after pushback due to issues with flight control test. Added delays due to weather in ZZZ lead to concerns about minimum fuel for the trip being adequate. All contributing to added workload for crew during the taxi out. I observed the Captain doing the standard door close/lock procedure before pushback and considered the matter checked; the door was not a consideration beyond that point due to the added issues and concerns the crew was addressing from engine start to taxi out. Cockpit door apparently did not secure properly and opened late in the take-off roll; too close to V1 callout. Door was secured after take-off and flight continued without incident. Multiple delays; and distractions compounded to up the workload on the crew while getting the aircraft out for departure. Focus on addressing issues lead to distraction from physically double checking that door was secured before take off. On second leg of flight; crew noticed before gate pushback that door lock solenoid was cycling unreliably and had to repeatedly cycle the electronic lock switch to properly secure the door.Captain and FO are in agreement that in consideration of the potential for unreliable lock solenoids on the electronic locking system that a physical check of the door after securing should be a written checklist item; rather than a flow pattern step. Adding a visual check and a verbal confirmation between crew members could ensure that malfunctioning door solenoids do not result in a potential security situation. For personal development; FO will brief with future Captains the need to double check door is secured and verbally confirm before take off.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.