Accident Sequence
The aircraft departed on Runway 19. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot transmitted that a door was open. Air traffic control personnel cleared the pilot to land on any runway. The pilot repeated that a door was open, and tower personnel again cleared the aircraft to land on any runway. No further radio calls were received from the aircraft.
Several witnesses observed the aircraft at low altitude before it entered a steep turn toward Runway 24. The aircraft subsequently struck a treetop and crashed with the flaps retracted. It came to rest approximately 300 yards from the runway threshold.
Examination and Testing
Post-crash examination revealed that the utility and left cabin doors were closed during impact; however, the right cabin door was found wedged under the right wing with little deformation. Investigators found no evidence of preimpact part failure or malfunction.
Flight tests determined that the aircraft's handling characteristics were unchanged with an open door. However, the flight manual recommended using shallow bank turns, cautioned about possible buffeting and a slight increase in drag, and warned not to allow the airspeed to drop below the recommended speed.