<< >> NASA ASRS Report 870594, January 2010

A MD80's forward airstair door latch failed in flight causing a loud bang but no loss of pressurization. Since the crew did not know the cause in flight; as a precaution they descended and returned to the departure airport.

Attributes
ACN	870594
Time
Date	201001
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	MD-83
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	IFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Service/Access Door
Person 1
Function	First Officer Pilot Flying
Person 2
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

Narrative:

Cleared to FL330. Passing FL240 we heard a loud bang and a hissing air sound on the captain's side. Put oxygen mask on and established communications in preparation for pending red box. Cabin altitude warning horn was never indicated and we did not experience rapid depressurization. Stopped the climb and leveled off at FL260. Immediately requested 10000 ft and started the descent. Monitored aircraft performance and especially cabin altitude. The cabin never got above 5000 ft and did not indicate excessive climb rate. There was no need to deploy the passenger oxygen masks. Returned to the departure airport at 10000 ft. Held to burn down to landing weight. Uneventful landing below maximum landing weight.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A MD80's forward airstair door latch failed in flight causing a loud bang but no loss of pressurization. Since the crew did not know the cause in flight; as a precaution they descended and returned to the departure airport.

Narrative: Cleared to FL330. Passing FL240 we heard a loud bang and a hissing air sound on the Captain's side. Put oxygen mask on and established communications in preparation for pending red box. Cabin Altitude Warning Horn was never indicated and we did not experience rapid depressurization. Stopped the climb and leveled off at FL260. Immediately requested 10000 FT and started the descent. Monitored aircraft performance and especially cabin altitude. The cabin never got above 5000 FT and did not indicate excessive climb rate. There was no need to deploy the passenger oxygen masks. Returned to the departure airport at 10000 FT. Held to burn down to landing weight. Uneventful landing below maximum landing weight.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.