P180 Avanti
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 75; Flight Crew Total 12000; Flight Crew Type 1900
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation - Speed All Types
General None Reported / Taken
Aircraft; Human Factors
The aircraft received a thorough preflight inspection by both crew members prior to departure). No anomalies were observed. While being radar vectored for an approach; descending through 10;000 FT; the maximum operating speed (Vmo) was momentarily exceeded by three knots (263) with an immediate correction slowing to 250 KTS. Afterwards the crew heard a loud sound; followed by a noticeable vibration. There were no abnormal cockpit indications either before or after the event - all systems appeared normal - so an emergency was not declared; and discussion of the event with ATC unnecessary. Exercising normal procedures; the crew continued the descent and approach for a normal landing; with a taxi to the FBO. A post flight inspection by the crew discovered that the left forward main gear door was missing.
A P-180 Captain reported losing the left forward main gear door on approach after a minor Vmo excursion.