Did some research on the Airstairs, I haven't found this covered elsewhere so I think some is new and important.
Regarding the Placard, there is probably a small door panel possibly with the other 1/4 of the placard still attached out in the woods near the partial placard found location. The placard was described as "heavy plastic” and looks like it was attached by rivets or screws not adhesive/decal?. The piece of Placard that was found was from the secondary “Emergency Airstsair Release System” not the primary system. Using the Secondary Emergency System involves pulling off an access door, the Placard was from this door. (that door becomes completely detached when accessed)
Some interesting information about the Airstair operation and the “rare" secondary "emergency" release system.
The 727 has the Primary Airstair release lever behind a hinged panel at the top of the stairs, when the lever is moved the stairs initiallly freefall but use hydraulics to lock down. NOTE: There is a button on top of the handle that must be pressed to move lever. The hijacker initially failed to operate the Airstairs. After contact with the pilots, he likely then tried the secondary “emergency system” next to the main system accessed by completely detaching the door/cover, where the placard was attached.
A 727 Safety Card confirms the operation, if the stairs fail to lower via the main control (hinged access door), SOME planes are equipped with an “Emergency” System. THE AIRSTAIRS EMERGENCY SYSTEM ACCESS DOOR GETS COMPLETELY REMOVED/DETACHED WHEN ACCESSED. << The found Placard piece is from here.
The secondary “emergency" release system was installed on only 164 passenger 727-100’s. Using this system “will cause uplocks to be sheared and forcibly extend the stairs extensive damage will be caused to the system”
This suggest that there may be an emergency access door from NORJAK still out there in the woods possibly with the other 1/4 of the placard attached.
review sequence..
According to TINA in the FBI interview notes, she showed the hijacker how to operate the Airstairs main control. Remember, there is a button on the lever that must be pressed to move the lever for the main control. Tina moved to the cockpit before the hijacker called and said he couldn’t get the stairs down, the pilots levelled and slowed, then after a short time Tina noticed the red indicator light on the second officer’s panel indicating Airstair operation. A RED light indicated the Airstairs were unlocked in "free fall”. Using the “emergency” stair system requires removal of the panel and pulling a cable, the top stair locks are sheared and the stairs fall. The stairs would have been damaged, loosey goosey and very difficult to descend at speed.
IMPORTANT-
A RED LIGHT INDICATES AIRSTAIRS OPEN BUT NOT LOCKED UP OR DOWN.
AN AMBER LIGHT INDICATES AIRSTAIR LEVER IN RAISING POSITION.
A GREEN LIGHT INDICATED DOWN AND LOCKED.
(the hijacker’s first attempt to lower the Airstairs did not activate the red light/unlock them suggests that he couldn’t move the main lever and didn’t press the button on top)
The hijacker's knowledge of the stairs also being controlled from the cabin demonstrated knowledge but he lacked experience as he couldn’t lower the stairs (press the button on lever). Ironically, if that particular plane had not been equipped with the second “emergency” Airstair release system, he may not have gotten out of the plane.
Conclusion,,
The hijacker was shown how to operate the main Airstair control but his attempt failed to even unlock the Airstairs probably because he didn’t know that a button needs to be pressed on the lever. (no red light indicator until some time after call to pilots and second attempt). The hijacker called the pilots, they levelled and slowed down the plane, he then used the “emergency” Airstair release which is behind a removable panel (this is where the found placard came from). The red light indicated that the stairs were not locked down and the emergency system sheared the upper locks leaving the stairs in a
"free fall".
Getting down those 2’ 8” wide stairs with chutes and Airstairs in their unlocked/sheared "free fall" position at nearly 200 mph would have been very difficult..
Poll