Date: 202010
Local time of day: 0601-1200
Location: ZZZ.ARTCC, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Weather elements / visibility: 10
Light: Dawn
Aircraft: Cessna 350
Operator: Personal
Operating under: Part 91
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Training
Flight phase: Initial Climb
Airspace: Class E ZZZ
ATC / advisory: Center ZZZ
Aircraft component: Exterior Pax/Crew Door
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Personal
Reporter function: Pilot Flying; Single Pilot
Reporter qualification: Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Private
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Crew
When detected: Other Climb out
Result: Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Contributing factors: Aircraft
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: We [worked] through all appropriate preflight checklists and discussed our flight plan for the morning flight. Our plan was to depart Runway XX at ZZZ and shoot Instrument Approaches at ZZZ1; ZZZ2; and ZZZ. We would then make a full stop and end the flight at ZZZ. An IFR flight plan was filed with ATC ; and was to be picked up once airborne. During the preflight checklists; we did a complete exterior preflight check before discussing how to appropriately board the aircraft. [Name] boarded the passenger side; and I boarded into the pilot side. We discussed how to properly secure the seatbelt; and then had a very detailed description of how to close and secure the door properly by turning the door handle to the proper closed position; to where it drops into the proper detent. I demonstrated to [Name] with my door handle where the correct position for the door handle was to be in when closed. We taxied out to Runway XX; and proceeded to go through the run up checklist. At the end of the checklist; I specifically pointed out that the annunciator panel had all lights off.During the takeoff climb; approximately 1.5 miles to the NE of ZZZ; we were climbing through 1;500 ft. MSL for 3000 ft. MSL. Everything sounded and felt completely normal inside the aircraft. The winds were calm; and the barometric pressure was 30.46. Our climb rate was 500 ft./min and our IAS was 120 kt. All of the sudden; without any warning; the pilot side door blew off of the aircraft; and completely detached.I leveled off the aircraft; slowed to approach flap speed; while making a left turn back toward ZZZ; and begin to make a landing on Runway XY at ZZZ. I was able to maintain complete control of the aircraft with the pilot side door completely gone. I announced our situation; and that we would be entering a right base to final approach to Runway XY. I deployed approach flaps and landing flaps; entered a right base leg; slowed to 90 KT; and made a right hand turn for a short final approach to Runway XY; and was able to execute a safe landing.After landing safely; I taxied back to hangar ; and we shut down and departed the aircraft. We did a detailed inspection of the aircraft and took several photographs of the pilot side door hinges. We notified the ZZZ airport authority and local police of our situation. Since we had a clear idea of our position when the door detached; we drove to the approximate area in my truck. We found the door in the parking lot of the [Name]. When we located the door; we took several photographs of the door before touching it. The door handle was in the closed position in the proper safety detent. Both locking pins were engaged; with the forward pin being bent. We retrieved the door and took it back to ZZZ.




Synopsis: Columbia 300 pilot reported pilot door departed aircraft in flight.