Background
On 18 July 2018, two pilots from Gruppo Volo Motore Lugano (GVML) were returning from Calvi, Corsica, in a Cirrus SR22 (registration N4927). After landing at Lugano Airport, they cleaned the aircraft. One pilot, while descending from the wing, missed the step and fell onto the open baggage door, tearing it off. The pilot sustained minor injuries and left the other pilot to hangar the aircraft. The second pilot, who was also the GVML aircraft responsible, reattached the baggage door using gray adhesive tape.
That evening, the pilot who would be involved in the serious incident reserved the aircraft for the following morning via the GVML website. The aircraft responsible called him back to inform him that the baggage door had been temporarily fixed with tape.
Flight
On Thursday, 19 July 2018, the pilot, accompanied by a passenger, arrived to conduct a flight using the Cirrus SR22. He had filed a flight plan from Lugano to Lugano with a possible landing at Locarno. After performing preflight checks and refueling, he inspected the tape repair on the baggage door.
Departing Lugano at 08:37 LT, the pilot flew toward Luino and contacted Milano Informazioni, reporting that he was in the area at altitudes between 5000 and 6000 ft MSL for some exercises. He subsequently announced to Locarno for a landing. While near Cannobio at approximately 3000 ft AMSL and an indicated airspeed of 100 kt, he heard a loud bang. Initially suspecting a bird strike, he then felt air entering from the baggage door and realized the door was no longer in place. He decided to return to Lugano, where he landed and confirmed the complete loss of the baggage door.
Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the repair of the baggage door using adhesive tape was not adequate. It was not performed according to the manufacturer's instructions or standard aviation best practices. The tape, applied in that manner, could not withstand the strong low pressure generated on the external fuselage surface during flight. Additionally, the individual who performed the repair, the GVML aircraft responsible, did not hold an aviation mechanic license.
The serious incident highlights the dangers of using temporary, non-approved repairs on aircraft components. The baggage door detached in flight due to the failure of the tape to resist aerodynamic forces.