What happened
On February 10, 1960, a Jodel DR 105, registered as HB-EAG, was performing a recreational flight near the Mont-Blanc region. After completing a standard circuit, the pilot attempted an approach to the grass runway at Geneva-Cointrin Airport. During the final approach, the aircraft struck mounds of earth, approximately 80 cm in height, which had been placed near the runway due to ongoing construction work. The impact caused the aircraft to break apart and sustain significant damage, including the destruction of the engine compartment and wing components. The pilot and two passengers sustained minor injuries but were able to evacuate the wreckage independently.
The investigation
Investigators from the Federal Office of Civil Aviation examined the wreckage and interviewed witnesses, including air traffic controllers and airport personnel. The investigation focused on the aircraft's configuration, the pilot's recent flight history, and the airfield conditions. Technical examination of the HB-EAG revealed that while the engine and flight controls were functional, the impact caused the forward seats to break away from their mounts, potentially compromising the effectiveness of the seatbelts. The investigation also noted that the pilot had recently transitioned to this aircraft type, having previously flown primarily Piper Cub models.
Findings
Several factors contributed to the accident. The pilot's flight experience on the Jodel DR 105 was very limited, consisting of only a few training sessions a month prior. Additionally, the pilot's decision-making was influenced by a previous landing error on February 4, where the aircraft had overshot the same area. This led to a deliberate intention to perform a short landing to avoid the construction debris. This intention, combined with a lack of familiarity with the aircraft's handling characteristics, resulted in a misjudgment of the aircraft's trajectory relative to the obstacles. While the pilot also committed minor procedural errors regarding fuel selector and air mixture settings earlier in the flight, these were not deemed contributing factors to the crash itself.