Accident Overview
On November 9, 2011, at 14:35 local time, a Piper PA-38-112 Tomahawk, registered YU-DOV, operated by Aeroklub Trstenik, crashed near the village of Medveđa, Trstenik, Republic of Serbia. The flight was scheduled as a school circuit and flight in an aerobatic zone. On board were two persons. The accident resulted in two fatalities and no injuries. The aircraft was destroyed.
Flight History
The pilot was tasked with completing a school circuit and flight in the aerobatic zone. Before the flight, the pilot boarded another person. After takeoff, the pilot left the aerobatic zone and flew over the West Morava River towards Kruševac at an altitude of about 100 meters. Then the pilot made a 180-degree turn and again flew over the West Morava River towards Medveđa at an altitude of about 10 meters, heading into the direction of the sun. Meanwhile, the flight operations officer noticed the aircraft was not in the aerobatic zone and attempted to contact the pilot via radio, without success. The pilot, following the West Morava's right turn in a slight right bank, struck the lowest cable of a low-voltage power line with the tip of the left wing, severing the cable. The severed cable struck the junction of the horizontal and vertical stabilizer, tearing off the rear fuselage. The aircraft lost speed and struck the river surface. Upon impact with the water, the aircraft was completely destroyed. The passenger died at the scene, and the pilot died on the way to the hospital.
Weather and Conditions
At the time of the accident, visibility was greater than ten kilometers. The sun was relatively low above the horizon, which may have affected the pilot's visibility.
Damage
The aircraft was completely destroyed. Damage was also caused to the power line.
Probable Cause
The immediate cause of the accident was that the pilot flew at an unauthorized low altitude (about 10 meters) over the West Morava River, causing the aircraft to strike a power line.