PLT OF AN SMA TWIN DIVERTED TO LAND AFTER THE FRONT BAGGAGE DOOR CAME OPEN IN CRUISE FLT. AFTER LNDG THE PLT WIRED AND TAPED THE DOOR SHUT; SINCE THERE WAS NO MECH REASONABLY AVAILABLE TO INSPECT THE ACFT OR MAKE REPAIRS; AND TOOK OFF FOR HIS HOME BASE. HE OPERATED THE ACFT WITHOUT A MECH'S AUTH OR A FERRY PERMIT.

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ON JAN/XA/99 WE WERE ENRTE FROM DENVER; CO; TO GRAND CANYON ON AN IFR FLT PLAN. WE WERE IN VICINITY OF ALAMOSA VOR WHEN FRONT BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT DOOR OPENED. WE REQUESTED VECTORS TO THE CLOSEST ARPT; WHICH HAPPENED TO BE SPANISH PEAKS; 4V1. WHEN WE LANDED THERE; WE FOUND OUT THAT THE NEAREST A&P IS 50 MI AWAY. AFTER A CLOSER LOOK AT THE DOOR; WE CONCLUDED THAT WE CAN STILL CLOSE IT AND KEEP IT SHUT WITH SOME WIRE AND DUCT TAPE MADE AVAILABLE BY A FELLOW PLT WHO HAPPENED TO LAND THERE SHORTLY AFTER US. AT THAT TIME NEITHER DID I REALIZE THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SIT NOR DID I REALIZE THE LEGAL RAMIFICATIONS; IE; THE NEED TO OBTAIN A&P APPROVAL ON SUCH REPAIR BACKED BY 1 TIME FERRY PERMIT. WE CONTINUED SAFELY TO MONTGOMERY FIELD IN SAN DIEGO; CA; MAKING A FULL STOP IN FLAGSTAFF; AZ. AS I SAID; THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SIT AND THE FACT THAT I HANDLED IT IMPROPERLY DID NOT OCCUR TO ME UNTIL I ARRANGED FOR REPAIRS IN SAN DIEGO AND CONSULTED MECHS THERE. I WAS THEN ALSO QUESTIONED ABOUT THE DOOR DAMAGE AND REPAIRS I MADE BY LCL FAA INSPECTORS; WHO BROUGHT TO MY ATTN THE LACK OF PROPER DOCUMENTS AND IMPROPER HANDLING OF THE SIT. AS A RESULT OF THE RAMP CHK; I AM FACING POSSIBLE FAA ENFORCEMENT ACTION. THE CONSULTATION WITH MECHS AND LATER CONVERSATION WITH FAA INSPECTORS MADE ME REALIZE HOW I MISJUDGED THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE AND DANGER WHICH IT CREATED. I DEFINITELY LEARNED THE LESSON THAT USING COMMON SENSE IN SOLVING A PROB WHETHER SOME FIX IS AIRWORTHY OR NOT CAN LEAD TO VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. NOW; I ALSO REALIZE THAT I AM IN NO POS (ASIDE FROM LEGAL ISSUES; WHICH I OVERLOOKED) TO JUDGE TECHNICALITIES USING COMMON SENSE OR ANY OTHER SENSE FOR THAT MATTER; AS IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF A PROPERLY LICENSED A&P. I REALIZE THE MISTAKE OR RATHER MISTAKES I MADE; AND I SEE THE ROOM FOR SUCH IN THE FUTURE.