Accident Overview
On 23 April 2012, an Antonov AN-2 aircraft, registration YR-BOR, operated by Aerogetic S.R.L., was involved in an accident near the commune of Dârvari, Prahova County, Romania. The aircraft was conducting an aerial chemical application mission under contract with the Prahova Forestry Directorate. The flight departed from the Şirna–Tăriceni airfield. Approximately 15 minutes after departure, the two-person crew noted an anomaly in the cylinder head temperature indication and decided to land for inspection.
Sequence of Events
After observing the temperature anomaly, the crew selected a landing area based on an aerial visual assessment. The chosen terrain was near Dârvari. During the approach, with flaps set at 25° and a tailwind, the crew realized that the terrain, which had appeared suitable from the air, was actually unsuitable due to obstacles hidden by spontaneous vegetation. The crew initiated a go-around, but due to wind direction and intensity, the aircraft lost lift and made contact with the ground with the main landing gear. The left landing gear leg struck the edge of a hardened ditch. The pilots attempted to avoid the ditch by banking left, but the maneuver was insufficient. Subsequent contact with ground at a lower elevation caused the left leg, already weakened from the initial impact, to progressively fail. The aircraft continued rolling and came to a stop in a 180° opposite direction from the landing heading. During the stop, the left lower wing and propeller blade tips were damaged. The crew performed emergency shutdown procedures, including switching off the ignition and closing the fuel valve, and removed the battery. No fuel or chemical leaks were observed upon exterior inspection. Measures were taken to recover fuel and chemicals to prevent ground contamination.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an Antonov AN-2 manufactured by WSK Mielec, Poland, serial number 1G19213/1981. It was registered YR-BOR and owned and operated by Aerogetic S.R.L. The airframe had accumulated 5,467 hours total time as of the accident date. The engine was an ASz 62 IR series, serial number 16405107, with 1,545 hours total time. The propeller was type E311126.
Crew Information
The pilot-in-command, a 53-year-old male, held a Romanian CPL with instructor rating, valid until 11 June 2012. His medical certificate was valid until 25 November 2012. He had 4,500 flight hours. The co-pilot, a 52-year-old male, held a Romanian CPL valid until 28 July 2014, with a medical certificate valid until 10 December 2012. He had approximately 5,550 flight hours. Both crew members had rested more than 8 hours prior to the flight.
Weather Conditions
Meteorological conditions were CAVOK, with wind from 230° at 6–7 m/s.
Damage
The accident resulted in the following damage: rupture of the left main landing gear leg structure, damage to the left lower wing, penetration of the left upper wing by the interplane strut, and damage to the propeller blade tips.
Injuries
Both crew members were uninjured. No passengers or others were involved.
Investigation
The Civil Aviation Safety Investigation and Analysis Center (CIAS) conducted the investigation. The investigation included on-site inspection, measurements, photographs, crew statements, and examination of aircraft and crew documentation.