20151031022459I

I was assigned the incident on 11/02/2015. This office was first made aware of the incident by the owner/operator contacting the FSDO. I contacted the roc and let them know and they instructed me to send an 8020-9 when possible. I then contacted the operator and he gave a verbal account of what occurred. He stated that the locking handle was not fully engaged when the door blew off.

On 11/03/2015, I traveled to Pine Mountain/Harris County Airport (kpim). I inspected the aircraft and talked with the local field A&P mechanic who witnessed the aircraft land and assisted with servicing the aircraft.

N700TC is a 1980 Piper Aerostar 601P serial number 61P07718063384. The incident flight was for leisure (part 91) with passenger (spouse) aboard. The aircraft received minimal damage when the aircraft entry door (upper clamshell door) separated in flight. Upon inspection, only minor scratches on the exterior paint of the fuselage, just aft of the door frame were discovered. I believe that damage was minimized due to the rapid depressurization force and the climbing pitch angle causing the door to rip from its piano hinge and clear the aircraft without making further contact.

The owner stated that professional aviaition management from millersburg, oh was going to do an eddy current inspection on the door frame structure, but did not give me a date. Since last contact with owner, I have left 3 messages requesting records with no reply. The mechanic at kpim has informed me that the eddy current inspection has been completed and that he was going to be hired to install a new door.

As of 12/08/2015 the aircraft is still parked at kpim. I am awaiting records to determine if AD89-03-04 has been completed. This is a cabin door AD for install of a door adjar warning light. Due to lack of correspondance, I am sending a letter requesting aircraft/airman records to the owner on 12/14/2015.

I was contacted on 12/14/2015 and was provided everthing that I requested so I recinded the letter. The door AD was complied with on 1/29/1990. I provided a special flight permit on 12/15/2015 to headland, al for maintenance completion at Aerostar world inc. a temporary loaner door was installed for the ferry flight and limitations were added.

The aircraft door structure received an eddy current inspection by space science services, inc. on 12/23/2015. No crack indications were noted. Aerostar world, inc. completed the installation of a serviceable door on 1/26/2016.

I contacted Aerostar aircraft corporation and they provided me with installation and adjustment publications for the door adjar warning switch. The tech pub states that adjustment of the door bolt pin may be required for proper operation.

The pilots written statement says ?he noticed the pilot door lever was not in parallel position and then the light illuminated?. This indicates the door may have been out of adjustment enough to cause an alleged erroneous indication. Because the original door was lost and the replacement door is a different door that had to be rigged, there is no way of knowing for sure if the door warning system was functioning properly at the time of the incident. Therefore, I am marking no to airworthiness on the FAA form 8020-23. The pilots written statement says that the ?door lever was not in parallel position?, this suggest that the door handle was not fully locked. Therefore, I am marking yes to airman competence on the FAA form 8020-23.