A columbia 400 pilot reports a door warning shortly after takeoff. An attempt to relatch the door re...

Narrative:

1) preflight airplane. 2) start engine. 3) listen to ATIS. 4) radio ground on information and intentions. 5) follow instructions for taxi and takeoff. 6) taxi to runway. Turn on switch for door seals. No warning that doors were open or ajar. 7) climbout at 800 FPM using autopilot. 8) at 2500 ft; hear audible warning 'door open.' 9) review situation and noted that doors were fully closed and pins were set in door frames. 10) audible warning increases in repetitions. 11) momentarily takeoff headset to listen for any noise of air leaks in either door -- none noted. 12) turn off 'sealed' door switch. 13) reset door latch; hoping to turn off sensor. 14) door opens immediately and tears off from airplane in seconds! 15) radio approach for emergency landing. 16) land airplane and check for visible damage -- only missing door noted. 17) check locks on luggage door. 18) noted one lock not properly engaged. A) never open door latch unless in water or moving slowly on ground. B) land airplane immediately when possible issues arise that warrant further attention.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Columbia 400 pilot reports a door warning shortly after takeoff. An attempt to relatch the door resulted in the door departing aircraft. An emergency was declared and the flight returned to their departure airport.

Narrative: 1) Preflight airplane. 2) Start engine. 3) Listen to ATIS. 4) Radio ground on information and intentions. 5) Follow instructions for taxi and takeoff. 6) Taxi to Runway. Turn on switch for door seals. No warning that doors were open or ajar. 7) Climbout at 800 FPM using autopilot. 8) At 2500 FT; hear audible warning 'Door Open.' 9) Review situation and noted that doors were fully closed and pins were set in door frames. 10) Audible warning increases in repetitions. 11) Momentarily takeoff headset to listen for any noise of air leaks in either door -- none noted. 12) Turn off 'sealed' door switch. 13) Reset door latch; hoping to turn off sensor. 14) Door opens immediately and tears off from airplane in seconds! 15) Radio Approach for emergency landing. 16) Land airplane and check for visible damage -- only missing door noted. 17) Check locks on luggage door. 18) Noted one lock not properly engaged. A) Never open door latch unless in water or moving slowly on ground. B) Land airplane immediately when possible issues arise that warrant further attention.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 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.

Attributes
ACN	855389
Time
Date	200909
Local Time Of Day	1201-1800
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Lancair Columbia
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Climb
Flight Plan	VFR
Component
Aircraft Component	Exterior Pax/Crew Door
Person 1
Function	Single Pilot
Qualification	Flight Crew Private
Experience	Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30 Flight Crew Total 850 Flight Crew Type 90
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

A columbia 400 pilot reports a door warning shortly after takeoff. An attempt to relatch the door resulted in the door departing aircraft. An emergency was declared and the flight returned to their departure airport.