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Diamond DA40 pilot reported that after takeoff; the rear door detached and flew off the airplane while attempting to latch the primary latch.
| Attributes | |
| ACN | 1544037 |
| Time | |
| Date | 201805 |
| Local Time Of Day | 1201-1800 |
| Place | |
| Locale Reference | ZZZ.Airport |
| State Reference | US |
| Environment | |
| Flight Conditions | VMC |
| Light | Daylight |
| Aircraft 1 | |
| Make Model Name | DA40 Diamond Star |
| Operating Under FAR Part | Part 91 |
| Flight Phase | Takeoff |
| Route In Use | Direct |
| Flight Plan | IFR |
| Component | |
| Aircraft Component | Exterior Pax/Crew Door |
| Person 1 | |
| Function | Pilot Flying Single Pilot |
| Qualification | Flight Crew Instrument Flight Crew Private |
| Experience | Flight Crew Last 90 Days 100 Flight Crew Total 837 Flight Crew Type 277 |
| Events | |
| Anomaly | Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy |
Narrative:
Completed pre-start checklist and believed rear door latch was closed by visual inspection from front seat. Front canopy was partially open using 2nd detent to allow for cooling in the cabin for pilot/passenger; consequently 'door open' indicator lit up on the G1000 pfd and periodic alarm reminder. Front canopy maintained open in 2nd detent position through engine start; taxi; and run-up due to high outside air temperatures.after completion of before taxi checklist and taxi to departure end of the runway; run-up was completed with front canopy still in 2nd detent position due to high OAT (contrary to normal checklist; which calls for front canopy to be closed/locked). This is common in high temperatures. No other aircraft were in the area; so upon clearing the approach end of the runway; completed pre take-off checklist plus latched the front canopy closed and taxied onto the runway. After taking off; at 400 feet AGL observed the 'door open' indicator on the G1000 pfd. Confirmed that front canopy was latched shut.executed right crosswind turnout to the west; then right downwind turn to north. Stabilized aircraft at approximately 1;000 feet AGL and engaged autopilot to fly straight and level on right downwind leg. Passenger continued to look out for other traffic (none present). Looked behind pilot seat and saw that rear door latch was ajar and that secondary (backup) safety latch was holding the door in place. Per poh; attempted to lock the door closed by closing the primary latch; at which time the secondary latch released the door and it separated from the aircraft in flight. The door did not hit any other part of the aircraft and the flight characteristics were unaffected. Immediately turned right base; then final and landed.there was no other damage to the aircraft. Door has not been located by either ground; or air searches. Believe primary cause was high outside air temperature; which necessitated front canopy to be held open in 2nd detent position until take-off for pilot/passenger comfort. This caused 'door open' indicator to be lit up continuously on pfd and pilot did not observe 'door open' indicator on after takeoff run initiated.
Original NASA ASRS Text
Title: Diamond DA40 pilot reported that after takeoff; the rear door detached and flew off the airplane while attempting to latch the primary latch.
Narrative: Completed pre-start checklist and believed rear door latch was closed by visual inspection from front seat. Front canopy was partially open using 2nd detent to allow for cooling in the cabin for pilot/passenger; consequently 'Door Open' indicator lit up on the G1000 PFD and periodic alarm reminder. Front canopy maintained open in 2nd detent position through engine start; taxi; and run-up due to high outside air temperatures.After completion of Before Taxi checklist and Taxi to departure end of the Runway; Run-up was completed with Front Canopy still in 2nd detent position due to high OAT (contrary to normal checklist; which calls for Front Canopy to be closed/locked). This is common in high temperatures. No other aircraft were in the area; so upon clearing the approach end of the Runway; completed Pre Take-off checklist plus latched the front canopy closed and taxied onto the Runway. After taking off; at 400 feet AGL observed the 'Door Open' indicator on the G1000 PFD. Confirmed that front canopy was latched shut.Executed right crosswind turnout to the West; then right downwind turn to North. Stabilized aircraft at approximately 1;000 feet AGL and engaged autopilot to fly straight and level on right downwind leg. Passenger continued to look out for other traffic (none present). Looked behind pilot seat and saw that rear door latch was ajar and that secondary (backup) safety latch was holding the door in place. Per POH; attempted to lock the door closed by closing the primary latch; at which time the secondary latch released the door and it separated from the aircraft in flight. The door did not hit any other part of the aircraft and the flight characteristics were unaffected. Immediately turned right base; then final and landed.There was no other damage to the aircraft. Door has not been located by either ground; or air searches. Believe primary cause was high outside air temperature; which necessitated front canopy to be held open in 2nd detent position until take-off for pilot/passenger comfort. This caused 'Door Open' indicator to be lit up continuously on PFD and pilot did not observe 'Door Open' indicator on after takeoff run initiated.
Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.