What happened
On the morning of August 1, 2015, an Antonov AN-2, registration YR-PEG, was prepared for aerial spraying operations near the Stăncuța commune in Brăila County. The flight mission had been relocated to this specific field due to rain affecting the original target area in Giurgeni. Before departure, the crew defueled 200 liters of gasoline and loaded necessary chemical substances for the task.
The aircraft departed with a pilot and an aeronautical technician seated in the right-hand seat. During the takeoff roll, which lasted approximately 100 meters, the aircraft encountered increasing wind gusts from the east. While climbing at an altitude of roughly 15 to 20 meters, the plane began to bank heavily to the left and lost altitude. The passenger attempted to intervene by pulling the control yoke to the right, but reported that the controls felt blocked.
The Antonov AN-2 continued its descent, striking the ground with the propeller and the left wingtip. The impact caused the aircraft to pivot sharply and hit the earth with significant force, resulting in an engine shutdown and a small fire that was extinguished by bystanders. The pilot was ejected from the cockpit during the wreckage's destruction and sustained fatal injuries. The passenger survived the crash but required extensive hospitalization for his injuries. The aircraft was a total loss.
Findings
Investigation into the accident identified several contributing factors, including the temporary incapacitation of the pilot and the operation of the aircraft with an incomplete crew. Additionally, the use of flaps during takeoff under deteriorating weather conditions, specifically regarding changing wind speed and direction, played a role in the loss of control.