What happened
On July 8, 2023, an Antonov AN-2, registration SE-KCE, was involved in an accident at a field in Tumberg, near Vårgårda, Sweden. The aircraft was conducting a private flight with one pilot and four passengers. Following a previous landing at a nearby field, the pilot prepared for a short flight, deciding to take off in an easterly direction to avoid buildings and lamp posts located to the west.
While the pilot believed the field was long enough for the maneuver, no formal calculations were performed to verify the required takeoff distance. During the takeoff roll, the pilot applied full power, and engine parameters appeared normal. However, as the aircraft lifted off, it began to roll to the right. The pilot attempted to climb over a line of trees at the end of the field by pulling back hard on the control yoke, but the aircraft failed to clear the obstacle and struck the trees. The impact caused significant damage to the aircraft and resulted in a fuel leak, though there were no injuries to the occupants.
The investigation
The Swedish Accident Investigation Authority (SHK) analyzed various materials, including interviews, aircraft documentation, and video footage from witnesses. Audio analysis of the video confirmed that the engine was operating at a stable 2,150 rpm, indicating no mechanical failure of the engine or propeller.
Investigators determined that a tailwind was present during the takeoff, which increased the ground speed and the distance required to reach a safe altitude. Calculations performed by the SHK revealed that to clear the 20-meter-high trees, the aircraft required a total distance of over 410 meters. However, the available distance in the chosen direction was only 360 meters. The investigation also noted that the aircraft's high angle of attack and low airspeed during the final moments likely rendered the flight controls ineffective for maneuvering away from the trees.