Radzi 2 Report post Posted April 19, 2008 (edited) This is a real-life story, happened a few months ago. During flight when using GCC toilet the operating Captain was locked inside. It required the assistance of the LSS and 2 passengers to get the door opened from outside. Cutleries and an axe was used to try to dislodge the latch but they failed to open the door. Eventually after 3 kicks using both feet the Captain managed to open the door. The Captain was able to return to the cockpit. Flight resumed normally. The finding was that the toilet lock assembly was found totally broken. The lock and latch assembly was replaced. A fleet-wide inspection programme on the latch assembly is currently ongoing for any abnormalities and rectify as necessary. Boeing Service Letter for B737 had provided an advice on an alternate means to open the door in case a person is trapped in the lavatory. In the event that one of the internal flanges of the bolt assembly breaks, the bolt assembly can be actuated by rotating the handle in the direction opposite to the broken flange. However, if the handle is rotated in both directions and the door still cannot be opened, this is an indication that both of the flanges are broken or the actuator in the bolt assembly has become mis-aligned and cannot react to the remaining flange to open the door. If both internal flanges are broken, the actuator is not aligned or other internal parts are broken, the lavatory door cannot be opened. An axe or a rotary cutting tool must be used to retract the bolt and open the door. Finally, it is hoped that flight crew will take note of the above-mentioned means to open the door if were to encounter similar situation. Of all the people, why must it be the operating captain to be locked out? Edited April 19, 2008 by Radzi Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
H Azmal 0 Report post Posted April 19, 2008 Not really related, but I was once locked inside the toilet of a Langkawi-bound ferry (the latch jammed). The toilet was small and the sea was rolling, no word can describe my feeling at the time! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kandiah k 0 Report post Posted April 19, 2008 I think the best is not to panic and just calm down before asking for help....!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Khaled 2 Report post Posted April 19, 2008 Hmmm...the co-pilot surely thought the Capt was trying to hit on the stewardess for taking such a long time....hehaha... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jerry Ang 0 Report post Posted April 19, 2008 Khaled, u talking from experience??? j/k! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Khaled 2 Report post Posted April 19, 2008 Khaled, u talking from experience??? j/k! Eh, normal la bro! during transit, engineer's turn...thats why have to do in flight...hehehe... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
