What happened
During the initial climbout at 50 feet above ground level (AGL), the left cockpit door located behind the pilot opened into the airstream. The separation of the door caused significant damage to the aircraft's left propeller and the fuselage skin. Following the incident, the pilot executed single-engine procedures and continued the flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) toward an alternate airport. The pilot successfully completed an IFR approach and landing at the alternate location without any further incidents.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanism of the door's separation and the aircraft's warning systems. Investigators were unable to locate the departed door. It remained undetermined whether the incident was caused by a malfunction of the door latch or if personnel had failed to properly secure the latch prior to flight.
Technical examination revealed that the cockpit lighting is not linked to the status of the door latch, meaning the lights do not illuminate or change based on whether the door is closed. Additionally, the aircraft is not equipped with a warning light to alert the crew of an unlatched door. The investigation also noted the configuration of the door hinges, which are mounted on the aft frame of the door opening; this design causes the door to swing rearward into the path of the propeller if it opens.