What was found
WHILE THE PILOT WAS IN CRUISE FLIGHT CONDUCTING AN ORIENTATION FLIGHT WITH ONLY A PASSENGER IN THE COPILOT SEAT, THE LT CABIN DOOR SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT AT APPROX 2000' MSL. THE PILOT MADE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING TO INSPECT THE ACFT. THE MECHANIC ARRIVED TO INSPECT THE ACFT FOR DAMAGE. NO DEFECTS WERE NOTED. THE LT CABIN DOOR WAS RETRIEVED AND FOUND TO HAVE DAMAGE FROM WHERE IT HAD IMPACTED WITH THE GROUND. THE PILOT AND PASSENGER BOTH REPORTED THAT THE DOOR SEPARATED FROM THE BOTTOM TRACK FIRST. IT HELD ON FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AT THE UPPER ATTACHMENT POINTS BEFORE IT SEPARATED FROM THE ACFT. WHEN THE DOOR WAS INSPECTED, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE EMERGENCY RELEASE MECHANISM WAS IN THE STOWED/NORMAL FLIGHT POSITION. THERE WAS ALSO NO DAMAGE NOTED ON THE LOWER RAIL ASSY PN 117-24263-03.