Shut the attic door once you and your partner are in the attic.
Attic door stuck open.
On one side the spring always comes off its bracket when the door opens.
The knob will not turn to retract the stuck door latch.
If the door does not allow the lock to be jimmied open it may be necessary to remove the door from its hinges.
Once the door is open try to actuate the door latch with the handle.
Insert a long sturdy item with a flat tip preferably a flat head screwdriver if available between the top rung of the door s top hinge and the head of the bolt securing the door to the hinge.
In order to get the door to close we have to bend the arm back in as much as we can and hook the spring back over the bracket at the top.
More force is needed to turn the knob and unstick the latch.
If they are loose tighten them up as much as possible using either a wrench or screwdriver depending on your attic ladder model s attachment type.
If neith of those work can you get the nozzle from a wd40 can through to the latch.
Inspect the brackets at the door hinge where the springs attach to the attic door frame.
But if no joy i d just cut or break through and replace the lot.
The door latch is not extended before rotating the knob.
We have a pull down attic wood ladder with heavy duty springs on each side.
Take the door off the hinges.
The arm on that side looks like it s bent out.