Elevator car ceiling access system

An elevator car comprising:

• an elevator car floor, a plurality of side walls, and a ceiling defining an interior of the elevator car;
• a ceiling access panel located in the ceiling;
• and
• a ceiling panel access system comprising:
• a drum sheave arranged within one of the side walls;
• at least one locking pin arranged on a top of the elevator car, the at least one locking pin configured to releasably engage with the ceiling access panel to lock the ceiling access panel in a locked state and disengage with the ceiling access panel to cause the ceiling access panel to open into the interior of the elevator car;
• and
• at least one cable operably connecting the drum sheave to the at least one locking pin, wherein rotation of the drum sheave causes the at least one cable to wind about the drum sheave and cause retraction of the at least one locking pin from engagement with the ceiling access panel.