CE750 captain experiences a nose door open EICAS message shortly after takeoff with no vibration and...

Narrative:

I was captain on this trip; sitting in the left seat; first officer was pilot flying from the right seat. Shortly after liftoff; [we] got an amber EICAS 'nose door open-right.' the door did not open; there was no vibration or visible indication the door was open; just the EICAS message. We were conducting a reposition flight; no passengers on board. I determined the most prudent course of action was to immediately return and verify door was not properly latched. I advised tower that we needed to return to the airport; wished to keep our flight plan/clearance active; and that we needed no other assistance. Controller instructed us to fly a right downwind; sequenced us behind a G4 on final; and we subsequently landed. Taxied to ramp; first officer; got out; checked right avionics compartment door and found a latch had come undone. He secured the door; message cleared as I was configuring cockpit for takeoff. Subsequently taxied; took off; and completed the trip.tough call.....just need to insure; after preflighting avionics compartments; latches are properly secured. This type event has happened to me in the past. I now physically strike the area around each latch to insure it is secure. Preflight for this hop was conducted by the first officer. I suggested he assume the same practice in the future.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: CE750 Captain experiences a Nose Door Open EICAS message shortly after takeoff with no vibration and elects to return. Upon inspection one latch is found undone.

Narrative: I was Captain on this trip; sitting in the left seat; First Officer was Pilot Flying from the right seat. Shortly after liftoff; [we] got an amber EICAS 'Nose Door Open-R.' The door did NOT open; there was no vibration or visible indication the door was open; just the EICAS message. We were conducting a reposition flight; no passengers on board. I determined the most prudent course of action was to immediately return and verify door was not properly latched. I advised Tower that we needed to return to the airport; wished to keep our flight plan/clearance active; and that we needed no other assistance. Controller instructed us to fly a right downwind; sequenced us behind a G4 on final; and we subsequently landed. Taxied to ramp; First Officer; got out; checked right avionics compartment door and found a latch had come undone. He secured the door; message cleared as I was configuring cockpit for takeoff. Subsequently taxied; took off; and completed the trip.Tough call.....just need to insure; after preflighting avionics compartments; latches are properly secured. This type event has happened to me in the past. I now physically strike the area around each latch to insure it is secure. Preflight for this hop was conducted by the First Officer. I suggested he assume the same practice in the future.

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	948627
Time
Date	201105
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	Citation X (C750)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	Initial Climb
Component
Aircraft Component	Service/Access Door
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe

CE750 captain experiences a nose door open EICAS message shortly after takeoff with no vibration and elects to return. Upon inspection one latch is found undone.