Darn that's real tough then. Was he still a student in a school bird? If so then I bet his instructor is having a tough time of it.
I don't know how many times a door has popped on me on takeoff. The old tomahawks would do it on occasion and on a very infrequent basis my old Comanche popped a door. Noisy as all get out but just fly the plane and put her on the runway so you can secure it. The bird will fly fine with the door open. It's really spooky with a Cessna 152 when it's your door that pops. Kinda chilly in the winter too. Darn tight cockpit in those things.
I did a series of experiments today to try and clarify some of the handling qualities of the aircraft when this happens. Did a full series of tests with the door fully open, not this 1/2 way popped toejam from takeoff, cruise, steep turns, slow flight and landings. I got close with a power off stall but around 57 indicated the door started swinging open - so there maybe a negative pressure sucking it fwd when the prop goes flat pitch which would aggravate the stalled condition. Landing was uneventful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkzKZweweNY
