Sorry, I accidentally marked SOLVED! 

Hi,

as suggested, you have to press the release button in order to unlock the position. 

What happens if you press the release button?

Thanks

Marco

Let me try to clarify, I have received the blade out of a chassis. But the handle is in the "closed" or "inserted" position. It will not release. I presume some combination of pressure must be maintained on blade sensor/components in order to allow the handle to open. My goal is to trick / force the blade handle to release. Any help would be great. 

Had to go digging but figured it out, kinda. Posting in case it helps anyone. If a blade handle will release just a 1/2 inch on the left (upon pressing the open button) but the right handle will not release at all, here is what worked for me. Remove drive backplate, remove drive cage (4 top screws). Inside the chassis, where the right handle meets the front of the blade, insert flat screwdriver straight down from right top into what looks similar to a washer. See red circle for approx location. Pull the washer left (toward the left handle) and pull the handle to release. Do the same to close the handle. Ultimately some mechanism under the motherboard must have malfunctioned.