Bonanza 35
Flight Crew Flight Instructor; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 18; Flight Crew Total 6296; Flight Crew Type 15
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Airspace Violation All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem
Aircraft; Human Factors
On the evening of March XXth I was piloting a Bonanza VFR from ZZZ  to ZZZ1. In order to stay below the shelf of the class bravo airspace I would have to fly the x-c below 2;000 feet which I didn't want to do; both for safety and for efficiency. While on the ground at ZZZ  I requested flight following at 3;000 feet; with the intent of transiting the bravo airspace enroute to ZZZ1; and was assigned a departure frequency and squawk code. The takeoff and initial climb was uneventful. We checked in with Approach; and were informed that in order to fly to my destination at 3;000 feet we would initially have to take up a westerly heading before turning south. After flying west of ZZZ2; the main cabin door opened in flight; severely inhibiting communication with ATC due to the loud wind noise captured on the front seat passenger's headset microphone. In addition to the sudden distraction; the loud wind noise picked up by the front passenger's microphone inhibited communication with ATC; requiring me to ask approach to repeat a few transmissions. I tried talking the front seat passenger through closing the door; which was unsuccessful; then I unsuccessfully attempted to close the door. Finally; I had the passenger unplug their microphone so that I could establish good communication with ATC. While still dealing with the open door and noise I heard ATC tell me to fly a heading direct to my destination of ZZZ1 and cleared into the Bravo; which I read back; and then I turned direct to ZZZ1 at 3;000 feet. After unplugging the front passenger's microphone; and reorienting myself to the aircraft's position the passenger/pilot riding in the back commented that I was inside the Class Bravo at 3;000 feet; when the floor of the Bravo was 2;000 feet at our current location. I replied that while we were attempting to close the door we were vectored on current heading of 145 and cleared into the Bravo. The pilot/passenger replied that he heard the assigned heading from ATC; but did not hear us cleared into the Bravo. Contributing factors: 1) Distraction from cabin door popping open in flight.2) Distraction/impaired communication related to wind noise.3) Distraction related to trying to close the door in order to quiet the wind noise.4) Distraction related to trying to instruct the front seat passenger on how to close the door.5) Distraction from trying to close the door myself when the front passenger was unable to do so after two attempts.Corrective Actions:1) Unplugging the passenger's microphone2) I told ATC that I wished to descend to 1;500 feet; which would keep us below the floor of the Bravo; and began my descent.My perception was that as PIC I had to 'fix' the problem myself; either through instructing a passenger; or by physically manipulating the door; when in reality; the only action that needed to be taken was simply having the passenger unplug his microphone.  I exhibited poor judgment in struggling to close the door. I did so in order to reestablish good communications; but I allowed the process to distract me. The simplest; and quicker solution would have been to immodestly tell the front seat passenger to unplug his microphone. This would have saved time; confusion; and extra radio calls; as well as prevented a distraction in the cockpit. Factors affecting the quality of human performance:1) Being startled by the open door and noise.2) Failing to seek out the simplest solution.3) Possible affects of mild fatigue affecting the ability to problem solve quickly (it was the end of a long day).
Bonanza pilot reported miscommunication with ATC due to the noise from the cabin door opening inflight.