Inexperienced pilot of M20 suffers loss of baggage door enroute. Returns to departure airport.

Attributes
ACN	797400
Time
Date	200807
Local Time Of Day	0601 To 1200
Place
Locale Reference	airport : zzz.airport
State Reference	US
Altitude	msl single value : 6500
Environment
Flight Conditions	VMC
Light	Daylight
Aircraft 1
Controlling Facilities	tracon : zzz.tracon
Operator	general aviation : corporate
Make Model Name	M-20 J (201)
Operating Under FAR Part	Part 91
Flight Phase	cruise : level
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Affiliation	company : air carrier
Function	flight crew : first officer
Qualification	pilot : private
Experience	flight time last 90 days : 40 flight time total : 340 flight time type : 13
ASRS Report	797400
Events
Anomaly	aircraft equipment problem : critical
Independent Detector	other flight crewa
Resolutory Action	none taken : unable other
Consequence	other
Supplementary
Problem Areas	Flight Crew Human Performance Aircraft
Primary Problem	Aircraft

Narrative:

I left ZZZ with an intended destination of ZZZ1. After reaching level flight at 6500 ft MSL while in the ZZZ airspace the baggage door opened and the aircraft became noisy. There was some vibration for 4-5 seconds and the door broke off. I slowed the aircraft to 110 mph and asked approach for permission to return to ZZZ and told them what had happened. After inquiring about my safety and the airplane's status; they gave me permission to return to ZZZ. I landed without further incident.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: INEXPERIENCED PLT OF M20 SUFFERS LOSS OF BAGGAGE DOOR ENROUTE. RETURNS TO DEP ARPT.

Narrative: I LEFT ZZZ WITH AN INTENDED DEST OF ZZZ1. AFTER REACHING LEVEL FLT AT 6500 FT MSL WHILE IN THE ZZZ AIRSPACE THE BAGGAGE DOOR OPENED AND THE ACFT BECAME NOISY. THERE WAS SOME VIBRATION FOR 4-5 SECONDS AND THE DOOR BROKE OFF. I SLOWED THE ACFT TO 110 MPH AND ASKED APCH FOR PERMISSION TO RETURN TO ZZZ AND TOLD THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED. AFTER INQUIRING ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THE AIRPLANE'S STATUS; THEY GAVE ME PERMISSION TO RETURN TO ZZZ. I LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of May 2009 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.