Southwest pilot gets locked out of cockpit, climbs through window before flight

[ElPaso Pilot]

Almost started a “Caption This” thread.

"During the boarding process, while other Customers and Flight Attendants were onboard, a Customer opened the forward lavatory door and inadvertently pushed the Flight Deck door closed (which locked) while the Pilots scheduled to operate the flight were preparing to board the aircraft," the airline said in a statement to CNN. "One of our Pilots unlocked the door from a Flight Deck window, and the flight departed as scheduled."


https://abc7.com/southwest-san-diego-sacramento-pilot-locked-out/13307525/

 

[RyanB]

Amazing what becomes “news” these days.

 

[flyingron]

Now terrorists will know they can get in that way

 

[MauleSkinner]

Now terrorists will know they can get in that way

That’s probably where this guy was headed…
https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/threads/remember-sum-ting-wong.142997/#post-3402615

 

[texasclouds]

I hope the FA made an announcement as to which customer caused the delay today.

 

[Lindberg]

I hope the FA made an announcement as to which customer caused the delay today.

You blame the passenger because the cockpit door was locked while it was unoccupied?

 

[sourdough44]

That’s why you ALWAYS put the curtain through the door frame when parked!!

 

[texasclouds]

You blame the passenger because the cockpit door was locked while it was unoccupied?

Blame, no; however he set off a chain of events that caused the door to shut. May as well make a little sport of the situation.

 

[Pilawt]

They don't keep a hide-a-key in the wheel well?

 

[falconkidding]

I'm trying to remember my time on the 737 but if the AC has power to it I wonder why they couldn't just punch in the code and ten seconds later it auto unlocks unless you deny.

 

[Greg Bockelman]

I'm trying to remember my time on the 737 but if the AC has power to it I wonder why they couldn't just punch in the code and ten seconds later it auto unlocks unless you deny.

Kind of what I was wondering also.

 

[Pinecone]

Now terrorists will know they can get in that way

Yeap, easy to get in while in flight.

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

Yeap, easy to get in while in flight.

All you need is a really tall ladder.

 

[DaleB]

All you need is a really tall ladder.

Has to be one of those library ladders with wheels, though.

 

[Charlie Golf]

One of these stuck in the wheel well could've saved a lot of embarrassment.

 

[Charlie Golf]

They don't keep a hide-a-key in the wheel well?

Oops, should have scrolled down first!

 

[Zeldman]

I got locked out of a 172 once.

I went through the little baggage door in the rear.

Yes, it is small... and no, I can't have children now...

 

[Kritchlow]

The windows can open from the outside?

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

The windows can open from the outside?

Yes, but you have to pop off the screen first.

 

[texasclouds]

 

[Larry in TN]

The windows can open from the outside?

Yes. So that CFR can get you out if you're incapacitated.

Should be able to open the door from the cabin, too. No key needed. Not sure why they couldn't use that option.

 

[Pinecone]

I got locked out of a 172 once.

I went through the little baggage door in the rear.

Is there actually more than 1 or 2 keys for ALL Cessnas????

I know that at one point, there were only 10 or 12 keys for Ford. There was a story about a guy coming out of the bar late, gets in "his" car and goes home. Next morning, he notices a creased fender and gets mad. Looking closer, it wasn't his car. Same year, model, color, interior, etc, plus SAME KEY.

 

[MauleSkinner]

Is there actually more than 1 or 2 keys for ALL Cessnas???

Nope…you want to get into 3 or 4 different keys, ya gotta buy a Beechcraft!

 

[Kritchlow]

Yes. So that CFR can get you out if you're incapacitated.

Should be able to open the door from the cabin, too. No key needed. Not sure why they couldn't use that option.

Well I need to see if there is some sort of secret way to open the Bus window from outside. If there is, it’s not obvious.

 

[Zeldman]

Is there actually more than 1 or 2 keys for ALL Cessnas????

I found out later that I could have used a flat screw driver to unlock the door.

 

[Half Fast]

Nope…you want to get into 3 or 4 different keys, ya gotta buy a Beechcraft!

Even more Beech options if you go with the $4.95 owner-produced-part Home Depot solution!

https://www.csobeech.com/files/DoorLockCylinder-Solution.pdf

 

[Larry in TN]

Well I need to see if there is some sort of secret way to open the Bus window from outside. If there is, it’s not obvious.

It's likely labeled with a red RESCUE sign pointing to the panel under which the release is located.

 

[Groundpounder]

There is a lot of risk and little reward doing a stunt like that

 

[MauleSkinner]

There is a lot of risk and little reward doing a stunt like that

At least they got his good side in the picture.

 

[tspear]

Yes. So that CFR can get you out if you're incapacitated.

Should be able to open the door from the cabin, too. No key needed. Not sure why they couldn't use that option.

This has happened before; I believe it was SWA back then too. The reasons stated before was when changing crew and an empty cockpit, and passengers potentially on the plane, you "lock" the computer. Which prevents someone from getting into the cabin and doing something nefarious. As part of the lock, cabin access to cockpit is disabled. So once that door closes, you could get in by disconnecting ground power and having the whole plane shutdown after a while (which automatically unlocks the door), or by going through the front window. The disconnect power, I think was stated was a two to three hour process, while the window should only take an hour.

Tim

 

[Larry in TN]

The reasons stated before was when changing crew and an empty cockpit, and passengers potentially on the plane, you "lock" the computer. Which prevents someone from getting into the cabin and doing something nefarious. As part of the lock, cabin access to cockpit is disabled.

That scenario is not possible on the 737s that I fly.

 

[mandm]

View attachment 117610

please share contractor info thanks.

 

[ElPaso Pilot]

“Oh, bother!”

 

[NoHeat]

Yep, that must be how Zeldman got in that 172

 

[Albany Tom]

Ok, I'll start a rumor. Was he ACTUALLY the pilot, or was he a friend of a pilot who was covering for him while the pilot was out golfing, and the friend didn't know the code?

Or better, the door was broken, but "cockpit door" isn't on the MEL for Southwest.

 

[tspear]

That scenario is not possible on the 737s that I fly.

Interesting. To bad the media, and likely SWA will not post any details.

Tim

 

[Half Fast]

Interesting. To bad the media, and likely SWA will not post any details.

Tim

Watch for a NASA report.

 

[kayoh190]

There is a lot of risk and little reward doing a stunt like that

Yep.

"I'm gonna go get a coffee. Let me know when you restore access to the flight deck."

 

[NoHeat]

Unrelated question: what's that huge blue box on the top of the fuselage?

 

[Lindberg]

There is a lot of risk and little reward doing a stunt like that

What's the risk? It looks like the have a special rig for reaching the windows, maybe for cleaning or maintenance, or? It seems unlikely this was just a wild hair by the pilot.