Narrative:

Upon arriving at our destination; the ground crew notified us that the gpu flap door; and the forward intercom flap door were both open upon arriving at the gate. I contacted maintenance to check for damage. The ground agents seemed hurried or preoccupied in trying to get our flight out with minimal delay. However; this wasn't apparent until the following issues were noticed by the flight crew. First; after boarding and loading bags; I calculated the final numbers. A ground agent then verifies the number and takes a copy for the station records. The ground agent left the airplane before taking their copy. I took the paperwork out to the ground agent as she was moving some carts; and she stated that the push-back tug wasn't working and that we would have to spin out of our spot. I then boarded the aircraft and continued my duties. After closing the main cabin door; a second ground agent gave us the clear to start sign for engine number 2. I then signaled that we had a baggage door left open. That was then shut; and she gave the all doors secure sign; followed by the start number 2 engine. After engines were started; I signaled for the chalks to be pulled. She indicated that they had already been removed. I don't know when they were removed; but it must have been before we started engines. During the spin out there were three ground agents on the side of the aircraft with these flap door; and not one signaled that they were open. Maybe they were not shut securely; but appeared secure - but they were found open as we taxied in at our destination.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Q400 arrived at the gate with the GPU and forward intercom flap doors both open. The Captain suspected that in a rush to dispatch the flight the Ground Crew failed to close the doors before flight.

Narrative: Upon arriving at our destination; the Ground Crew notified us that the GPU flap door; and the forward intercom flap door were both open upon arriving at the gate. I contacted maintenance to check for damage. The Ground Agents seemed hurried or preoccupied in trying to get our flight out with minimal delay. However; this wasn't apparent until the following issues were noticed by the flight crew. First; after boarding and loading bags; I calculated the final numbers. A Ground Agent then verifies the number and takes a copy for the station records. The Ground Agent left the airplane before taking their copy. I took the paperwork out to the Ground Agent as she was moving some carts; and she stated that the push-back tug wasn't working and that we would have to spin out of our spot. I then boarded the aircraft and continued my duties. After closing the main cabin door; a second Ground Agent gave us the clear to start sign for engine number 2. I then signaled that we had a baggage door left open. That was then shut; and she gave the all doors secure sign; followed by the start number 2 engine. After engines were started; I signaled for the chalks to be pulled. She indicated that they had already been removed. I don't know when they were removed; but it must have been before we started engines. During the spin out there were three ground agents on the side of the aircraft with these flap door; and not one signaled that they were open. Maybe they were not shut securely; but appeared secure - but they were found open as we taxied in at our destination.

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.