Opening stubborn hatch on 200TDT
 

I cannot open the hatch on my 300TDT from the outside. Is it possible to remove the panel and open it from the inside? Can the panel; be removed from the inside with the hatch closed? If I remove the two latch screws visible from the inside , will the hatch open.

My instrument dash lights, tach and clock are all out. Fuses check OK, although I have had experience with flakey electrics on the 300 series. Where do I look next?