Originally Posted by
DaveReidUK
The panel is just a relatively flimsy bit of falsework that conceals the two upper door supports when the door is closed and drops down when the door is opening to allow clearance for them to operate:
The panel doesn't play any part in containing or relieving cabin pressure, nor in allowing upward movement of the door.
In the photo of the Asiana aircraft, one of the two supports can be seen to have detached and is hanging down.
That wasn’t the bit I meant, but I was getting 2 types mixed up, so the bit I was taking about doesn’t exist anyway!
I still don’t think you can open a door against the stops while it’s fully pressurised. Just imagine if you could. What the consequences of that would be. And the doors aren’t guarded during flight. It would be far too easy to do some major damage and kill a lot of people.