History
On 31 July 2015, the Antonov AN-2 registered YR-PEG was positioned on a flight field near a farm in Stăncuța commune, Brăila County, in preparation for aviochemical flights the following day. On the morning of 1 August 2015, the pilot and an aeronautical technician were informed that due to rain in the intended area, flights would instead be performed near the flight field. The aircraft was prepared by defueling 200 liters of gasoline, starting the engine, and checking operating parameters. After loading chemical substances, the engine was restarted for take-off. On board were the pilot and the technician, who occupied the right-hand pilot seat.
The take-off on a north-south direction was initially normal. The take-off run was approximately 100 meters in gusty wind from the east, with increasing speed. During initial climb at about 15-20 meters, the aircraft began to lean left and descend slightly. The bank angle continued to increase, and the aircraft flew with the left wing very low over parked aircraft at the northern end of the field. The technician attempted to turn the control yoke to the right but found it blocked, though he could not specify the nature of the blockage. The engine remained at take-off power. The aircraft continued descending, struck the ground with the propeller and left wing tip, pivoted left, and contacted the ground hard. The engine stopped due to impact. Witnesses extinguished an early fire.
The pilot was thrown from the aircraft and suffered serious injuries; the technician exited the wreckage. Both were transported to the hospital. The pilot later died from multiple traumatic injuries. The technician required long hospitalization. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Meteorological Information
Near the time of the accident, weather conditions at the field included 8/8 cloud cover with base at 2500 m, wind from the north at 4–5 m/s initially, air temperature 18°C, pressure 757 mm Hg, humidity 100%, and visibility over 10 km. According to witnesses, at take-off time it began raining moderately, wind intensified and changed direction from the Danube (right side of take-off direction).
Flight Field Information
The field was a grassy surface near a farm, not a certified aerodrome. The runway orientation was 007°/187°, length 520 m, elevation approximately 39 m.
Pilot Information
The pilot was a 60-year-old Romanian male holding a valid CPL(A) and Class 1 medical certificate. Total flight hours could not be exactly determined.
Aircraft Information
The aircraft was an Antonov AN-2, serial number 1-G-19744, built in 1982, registered in Romania as YR-PEG. It was owned by S.C. FITOCOM AGRO INVEST S.R.L. and operated by S.C. AERO WEST SRL. The engine was an AȘ-62 IR with serial K16510127. The aircraft had accumulated 6577 total hours. It was equipped for aviochemical work. The investigation found the upper flaps extended at 30° and lower flaps at 18°–20°, with the low wing flaps circuit breaker switched off (disconnected).