i have had this problem,but i find it is dependant on the amount of scenery detail,more detail means less likly to work,if this happens,then i go to vc,and turn the view to the emrg hatch,and click on it to open it.
then when i wish to close it,i use vc mode to look on the floor,and click on the emg hatch lying there,and it closes.
regards alan. 8-) :)