PLT TOOK OFF WITH OVERHEAD LATCH NOT SECURE. TRIED TO SECURE INFLT BY OPENING MAIN LATCH TO PULL IT CLOSED. THAT MADE MATTERS WORSE. RPTR RECEIVED PROMPT HANDLING FROM TWR TO RETURN AND LAND.

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TOOK OFF IN ARCHER FOR PLEASURE FLT. HAD NOT FLOWN TYPE IN APPROX 3 YRS EXCEPT APPROX 1 HR 1 MONTH PRIOR. I HAD LATCHED OVERHEAD LATCH BUT DID NOT CONFIRM. ON TKOF COLD BREEZE FELT. WIFE (NON-PLT IN L SEAT) NOTED GAP AT TOP OF DOOR. CONTINUED CLBOUT AND LEVEL OFF; HEADED SE (ORIGINAL DIRECTION) AT APPROX 2500 FT MSL. ONCE LEVEL; TRIED PULLING TOP OF DOOR SHUT WITHOUT SUCCESS. THEN OPENED MAIN LATCH WITH THE IDEA OF PULLING DOOR SHUT. BIG MISTAKE. ENTIRE DOOR HAD GAP OF 0.5 TO 1 INCH AROUND FRAME. COCKPIT WAS LOUD; WINDY AND COLD. COULD NOT GET DOOR SHUT AT ALL; NOT EVEN MAIN LATCH. TRIED SLIP WITH NO EFFECT. WIFE WAS CRYING AND OF LITTLE HELP. CALLED SVS TWR AND ASKED FOR RETURN TO LAND SO I COULD SHUT DOOR PROPERLY. I RECEIVED PROMPT HANDLING FROM TWR CTLR; THOUGH I OFTEN HAD TO ASK HIM TO REPEAT EVEN THOUGH I WAS WEARING HEADPHONES; COCKPIT WAS SO LOUD. WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO HEAR ANYTHING WITHOUT HEADSET. SELF ANALYSIS -- MISTAKES -- NOT VERIFYING TOP LATCH ACTUALLY CLOSED. NOT RETURNING FOR LNDG IMMEDIATELY AFTER TKOF TO FIX PROB APPROPRIATELY. OPENING MAIN DOOR LATCH. NOT HAVING WIFE GET OUT PLT OPS HANDBOOK TO CHK FOR RECOMMENDED PROC. POSITIVES: ALWAYS USING HEADSETS. NOT PANICKING. I TRIED TO MAKE SURE FLYING THE AIRPLANE CAME FIRST.