Specifications

10-8 Information Manual
Section 10 Cirrus Design
Safety Information SR20
If the pilot elects to touchdown with a door opened, there are several
additional factors the pilot must consider: loss of door, possibility of
head injury, or injury from an object coming through the open door.
• If a door is open prior to touchdown in a CAPS landing, the
door will most likely break away from the airplane at impact.
• If the door is open and the airplane contacts the ground in a
rolled condition, an occupant could be thrown forward and
strike their head on the exposed door pillar. Contacting the
ground in a rolled condition could be caused by terrain that is
not level, contacting an obstacle such as a tree, or by transient
aircraft attitude.
• With a door open, it is possible for an object such as a tree limb
or flying debris to come through the opening and strike an
occupant.
• WARNING •
If it is decided to unlatch a door, unlatch one door only.
Opening only one door will provide for emergency egress as
well as reduce risks associated with ground contact. Typically,
this would be the copilot's door as this allows the other
occupants to exit first after the airplane comes to rest.
Water Landings
The ability of the airplane to float after a water landing has not been
tested and is unknown. However, since there is the possibility that one
or both doors could jam and use of the emergency egress hammer to
break out a window could take some time, the pilot may wish to
CAPS Landing Scenario Door Position
Empty Copilot Seat Unlatch Copilot Door
Very Little Time Before Impact Keep Doors Closed
Fire Unlatch Copilot Door
Water Landing Unlatch Copilot Door
Condition Unknown Keep Doors Closed
March 2010