B737 flight crew reported a main cabin door warning light approaching the high speed regime during takeoff; and rejected the takeoff. The flight attendants indicated the door was correctly closed and armed. The Captain returned the aircraft to the gate for where maintenance removed it from service for the door latch being out of limits.
Synopsis
B737 flight crew reported a main cabin door warning light approaching the high speed regime during takeoff; and rejected the takeoff. The flight attendants indicated the door was correctly closed and armed. The Captain returned the aircraft to the gate for where maintenance removed it from service for the door latch being out of limits.
Narrative
Final leg of our trip ZZZ-ZZZ1 Flight XXXX on the 737 aircraft. We closed the door on time; all procedures for arming and cross-checking the doors were done; all flight attendants (FAs) witnessed each other pushing down on the 737 door handle. All call was completed. We taxied to the runway; and we began to take off at 80 kts.; the plane slammed on the breaks and aborted take off. No information was relayed to the passengers or crew. Approximately 10 minutes passed before FAs received a call from the Captain confirming an aborted takeoff; and informed Flight Attendant A that her door handle had flown up during take off. Captain suggested Flight Attendant A double check her door handle. Flight Attendant A pushed door handle down about an inch and heard the handle/door re-secure in place. Flight Attendant A reiterated to Captain that the door handle was pushed down and armed correctly at the gate; and Flight Attendant C witnessed. Captain then advised that Flight Attendant A hold on to the door handle during the second take-off attempt to make sure it didn't fly up/disengage again. Captain then gave a PA explaining that the issue 'fixed itself' and that we would take off again shortly. After the Captain announced 'prepare for takeoff;' a passenger from the exit row rushed to the back and expressed he did not feel safe to continue to fly. Captain heard the conversation between Flight Attendant A and Flight Attendant B on the interphone and requested FAs convince the passenger to continue on. Passenger declined and we returned to the gate. Flight Attendant C entered flight deck and spoke with the Captain for several minutes requesting maintenance to check the aircraft due to the aborted landing. She explained she did not feel safe to continue and that there was a serious door handle issue. Captain continued to insist the aircraft was safe; but Flight Attendant C was not satisfied with this answer. As a result; the crew expressed a need to follow safety protocol and have the faulty door checked by Maintenance. After Maintenance checked the aircraft; the aircraft was taken out of service.The crew continued to express that we were not refusing to fly/work the flight; as it was important for us to get home. However; due to the Captain's original decision to avoid Maintenance and attempt a second takeoff; as well as his request to Flight Attendant A to hold on to the door handle during takeoff; the crew did not feel safe flying with him. Flight Attendant A called and requested new pilots. Request was denied and FAs were removed from the flight.Suggestions: We are suggesting pilots to follow safety protocol and support FA safety concerns.
Second reporter narrative
[Report narrative contained no additional information.]
More incidents for this aircraft family →
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.