What happened
On June 15, 1970, a Miles Gemini M. 65, registration G-AMME, departed from Geneva-Cointrin Airport for a flight to Cannes. Shortly after takeoff, once the aircraft had reached an altitude of approximately ten meters and the landing gear had been retracted, the left cabin door unexpectedly swung open.
Faced with this emergency, the pilot decided to perform an immediate landing on the remaining 1200 meters of the runway. To facilitate this, the pilot reduced power and initiated the landing gear extension sequence. However, the aircraft's descent was rapid. Despite the air traffic controller issuing warnings and the pilot attempting a go-around by applying full power, the aircraft's tail struck the runway. Because the landing gear was still in the process of extending and was not yet locked, the gear collapsed upon impact. The aircraft veered right, struck a runway light, and came to rest on the grass.
The investigation
The investigation focused on the mechanical state of the aircraft and the pilot's decision-making process. Investigators confirmed that the aircraft was airworthy and that the pilot was fully qualified for the flight. The inquiry examined the door locking mechanism, finding that the interior handle was functional and capable of securing the door. Furthermore, the investigation analyzed the landing gear deployment, confirming that the extension switch had been activated and that the gear was mid-cycle at the moment of impact.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was an inadequate pre-takeoff checklist, as the pilot failed to ensure the left cabin door was properly locked.
- The pilot's decision to land immediately did not account for the necessary time required for the landing gear to fully extend and lock.
- The three occupants of the aircraft sustained no injuries.