Incident Overview
During the takeoff roll, the passenger door of the aircraft opened, prompting an aborted takeoff. The aircraft oscillated right, left, and right before the right wing made ground contact, rupturing the right wing tip tank. The highest altitude attained during the event was about 100 feet above ground level.
Pre-Takeoff Events
Before takeoff, a cargo handler from Purolator interrupted the captain while he was closing the door to hand him a package. The captain then went to secure the package, and the cargo handler closed the door. According to the handler's interview, he closed the door but did not latch it, as latching requires a key that was typically used by the crew.
Crew Actions and Warning Light
After the captain was seated, he and the co-pilot failed to properly identify the red door warning light. They mentally dismissed it, regarding it as a malfunctioning fuel warning light, despite the fact that the door and fuel warning lights are separated by three other lights.
The Incident
During the takeoff, at approximately 110 knots, the door opened, and the abort was initiated. During the abort, the aircraft oscillated and the right wing tip tank struck the ground and ruptured.
Aftermath
The cargo handler was interviewed and confirmed closing the door but stated he never latched it because that operation required a key and was always performed by the crew. The investigation logically concludes that the door was not properly latched before takeoff, leading to its opening.