Entrance Doors And Cabin Windows - Cessna 172S NAV III Pilot Operating Handbook

SECTION 7
AIRPLANE AND SYSTEMS DESCRIPTION
CESSNA
MODEL 172S NAV III
ENTRANCE DOORS AND CABIN WINDOWS
Entry to, and exit from the airplane is accomplished through either
of two entry doors, one on each side of the cabin at the front seat
positions (refer to Section 6 for cabin and cabin door dimensions).
The doors incorporate a recessed exterior door handle, a
conventional interior door handle, a key operated door lock (left door
only), a door stop mechanism, and openable windows in both the
left and right doors.
NOTE
The door latch design on this model requires that the
outside door handle on the pilot and front passenger doors
be extended out whenever the doors are open. When
closing the door, do not attempt to push the door handle in
until the door is fully shut.
To open the doors from outside the airplane, utilize the recessed
door handle near the aft edge of either door by grasping the forward
edge of the handle and pulling outboard. To close or open the doors
from inside the airplane, use the combination door handle and arm
rest. The inside door handle has three pOSitions and a placard at its
base which reads OPEN, CLOSE, and LOCK. The handle is spring
loaded to the CLOSE (up) position. When the door has been pulled
shut and latched, lock it by rotating the door handle forward to the
LOCK position (flush with the arm rest). When the handle is rotated
to the LOCK position, an over center action will hold it in that
position. Both cabin doors should be locked prior to flight, and
should not be opened intentionally during flight.
NOTE
Accidental opening of a cabin door in flight due to improper
closing does not constitute a need to land the airplane. The
best procedure is to set up the airplane in a trimmed
condition at approximately 75 KIAS, momentarily shove the
door outward slightly, and forcefully close and lock the door.
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