What happened
Following departure from runway 23 at Geneva-Cointrin Airport under foggy conditions with low visibility, the twin engine aircraft began a turn to the right. While maintaining an altitude of approximately 100 feet, the plane collided with a concrete block belonging to a lift cable system situated atop a seven-story residential structure in Meyrin.
Following this impact, the aircraft lost control and descended rapidly, eventually crashing into a separate building located less than 2 km west of the airport. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and the death of all three occupants. The accident also caused damage to both buildings involved and impacted approximately 51 vehicles parked in nearby lots.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the aircraft was in an uncontrolled flight attitude during a right turn while operating in limited visibility. Due to the low altitude at the time of the maneuver, the pilot could not recover the necessary height to avoid the obstacle. Several contributing factors were identified as potential causes for the loss of control:
- An excessively steep turn performed during the initial climb phase
- Pilot distraction during aircraft handling
- Insufficient pilot experience
- Potential influence from residual wake turbulence from a previously departed Boeing 737
- A possible malfunction of the artificial horizon instrument