A B767 left fwd entry door warning light appeared climbing out of 14;000 ft. The door handle was out...

Narrative:

During climb at approximately 14;000 ft and 300 KIAS the EICAS left fwd entry door and entry door warning light illuminated. The load master verified that the door handle was approximately 1/3 travel open and there was light coming in from around the door. After completing the entry doors non normal we returned to our departure airport. We held over the airport to review the landing and discuss the possible effects of the door opening further when the aircraft configuration was changed for landing. At the time of turn-back we were approximately 30;000 pounds over maximum landing weight. At the completion of our landing preparations we were approximately 20;000 pounds over maximum landing weight. It was decided that it was safer to land overweight than to continue flight with a door that might open further with unknown effects on the flight characteristics of the aircraft. An overweight landing was accomplished with no further difficulties. Prior to push back the load master confirmed that the door was closed and locked. The warning lights were checked. Ground maintenance confirmed that the external door handle was in the full down and stowed position.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A B767 L FWD ENTRY DOOR warning light appeared climbing out of 14;000 FT. The door handle was out of the closed position with a gap noted and air escaping. The Crew returned to the departure airport for an over weight landing.

Narrative: During climb at approximately 14;000 FT and 300 KIAS the EICAS L FWD ENTRY DOOR and ENTRY DOOR warning light illuminated. The load master verified that the door handle was approximately 1/3 travel open and there was light coming in from around the door. After completing the entry doors non normal we returned to our departure airport. We held over the airport to review the landing and discuss the possible effects of the door opening further when the aircraft configuration was changed for landing. At the time of turn-back we were approximately 30;000 LBS over maximum landing weight. At the completion of our landing preparations we were approximately 20;000 LBS over maximum landing weight. It was decided that it was safer to land overweight than to continue flight with a door that might open further with unknown effects on the flight characteristics of the aircraft. An overweight landing was accomplished with no further difficulties. Prior to push back the Load Master confirmed that the door was closed and locked. The warning lights were checked. Ground Maintenance confirmed that the external door handle was in the full down and stowed position.

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	953686
Time
Date	201106
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.ARTCC
State Reference	US
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	B767-200
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 121
Flight Phase	Climb
Component
Aircraft Component	Exterior Pax/Crew Door
Person 1
Function	Captain Pilot Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Person 2
Function	First Officer Pilot Not Flying
Qualification	Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Events
Anomaly	Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical

A B767 left fwd entry door warning light appeared climbing out of 14;000 ft. The door handle was out of the closed position with a gap noted and air escaping. The crew returned to the departure airport for an over weight landing.