Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Distraction; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Aircraft Aircraft Damaged; Flight Crew Landed in Emergency Condition; Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Declared Emergency; General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Procedure
After takeoff at around 1;000 AGL; the pilot not flying (PNF) called my attention to the illumination of the CABIN DOOR and DOOR SEAL annunciator lights. I was navigating the RNAV departure when the PIC called ATC to inform them of the abnormal annunciations and to request return to Runway 14. The PNF informed the passengers of the problem and to remain seated with seat belts fastened as we returned to the field. On base leg; the cabin door opened. I did not feel any abnormal change in aircraft performance and made the turn to final. The PIC declared an emergency and we landed within the next two minutes. Although I did not hear it; the door made contact with the ground on roll out but caused no control problems. We taxied clear of the runway and stopped onto an available taxiway. We shut down and waited for assistance.
On landing; the First Officer kept the left wheel off the ground as long as possible; but the door made contact with the runway/taxiway eventually as evidenced by the damage noted postflight. We taxied off the runway and onto the taxiway and shut down. I proceeded to calm the passengers down first and then contacted the Company. Following his instructions; we deplaned the passengers and had them escorted to our facility. We also had the aircraft towed for maintenance.
A CE-560XL alerted CABIN DOOR and DOOR SEAL at around 1;000 feet after takeoff so an emergency was declared and as the flight returned to land the door opened and contacted the runway after landing.