Gulfstream G200 (IAI 1126 Galaxy)
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; MEL
Flight crew noticed cabin door free falling to ground during preflight without restraint. Crew contacted Maintenance Control who advised condition was MEL capable. Crew contacted Dispatch as suggested who confirmed this status. MEL directs the door be restrained by holding door when opening from outside and using the door assist handle to lower the door from inside. The crew; admirably; posted a sign on the outside of the cabin door to hopefully avoid any injury or damage. This creates several potential situation which could cause serious injury to personnel and or damage to the aircraft. The door weighs more than 100 pounds and if not successfully restrained will hit the ground with significant velocity. This could result in: 1. Damage to the door when it impacts the skeg. 2. Injury to personnel when the door strikes them.3. With contaminated ramp surfaces the crew member may not be able to successfully restrain the door resulting in damage and/or injury.4. A new crew not aware of this malfunction and taking necessary precautions to avoid injury or damage.5. A crew member lowering the door from the inside is in an awkward position physiologically and could easily receive an occupational injury or even be ejected from the aircraft. If the door struts cannot adequately restrain the door opening process; it should not be MEL capable. In addition; a placard should be displayed on the aircraft exterior showing this condition to protect crews and ground personnel not familiar with this discrepancy from injury or damage.
During preflight; I opened the main cabin door. The door free fell all the way to the ground. The door would have hit the ground had I not stopped it. This door weighs in excess of 200 lbs. The door was written up. I was told to MEL the door. Operating the door with it freefalling poses a safety risk. Not only could the door fall on the person opening it from the outside; but the procedure for opening the door from the inside involves using the door assist handle. This places the person opening the door in an awkward body position and with the weight of the door could pull the person operating the door out of the aircraft causing a fall. I would recommend repairing the door prior to aircraft use.
G200 flight crew reports discovering that the main cabin door struts are not functioning when the door is opened and falls straight to the ramp. Maintenance advises that this is a deferrable situation which the crew finds difficult to believe citing the possibility of serious injury.