Incident Overview
On December 10, 2010, at approximately 1720 central standard time, a Beech 300, registration N206K, experienced an in-flight separation of the cabin entry door shortly after departing from Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain Airport (MSP), Minneapolis, Minnesota. The airplane sustained substantial damage but returned and landed at MSP without further incident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The airline transport pilot and one passenger on board were uninjured. The flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 on an instrument rules flight plan, having departed MSP at about 1718 en route to Joe Foss Field Airport (FSD) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Events During Flight
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the airplane was climbing through 7,000 feet when the pilot reported to Minneapolis Air Traffic Control that the airplane had a pressurization problem. The pilot did not report that the cabin entry door had separated from the airplane.
Post-Flight Examination
Examination of the airplane by the FAA revealed an estimated 4-inch hole in the rear fuselage. There was no damage to the fuselage cabin entry door pin holes. Electrical continuity of the door wiring was confirmed, and the door open annunciator light was functional.
Location and Condition of the Door
On January 26, 2011, the door was located about 6 miles west of MSP. The door handle was found in the latch position, not in the lock position. No mechanical anomalies were noted with the door.