The knob will not turn to retract the stuck door latch.
Attic door stuck open.
The arm on that side looks like it s bent out.
Inspect the brackets at the door hinge where the springs attach to the attic door frame.
If the hindges are on the outside try taking them off then yank the door open or get a long knife anf try pushing it into the cracks between the door and frame and maybe it will cut through the.
If the door does not allow the lock to be jimmied open it may be necessary to remove the door from its hinges.
Take the door off the hinges.
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.
Shut the attic door once you and your partner are in the attic.
More force is needed to turn the knob and unstick the latch.
On one side the spring always comes off its bracket when the door opens.
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.
But if no joy i d just cut or break through and replace the lot.
The handle or knob must be jiggled to unstick the latch.
We have a pull down attic wood ladder with heavy duty springs on each side.
The door latch is not extended before rotating the knob.
If neith of those work can you get the nozzle from a wd40 can through to the latch.