What happened
During the takeoff sequence, the aircraft began its rotation at a speed of 135 km/h, at which point the nose gear departed the runway surface. As the airspeed reached 165 km/h, the pilot performed a more aggressive rotation maneuver. Simultaneously, the flight engineer initiated the retraction of the landing gear.
Upon reaching a speed of 190 km/h, the aircraft lost altitude and descended back onto the runway surface. Because the landing gear was only partially retracted at the time of impact, the aircraft settled onto its belly, causing both propellers to make contact with the ground. Following the impact, the aircraft slid approximately 740 metres along the runway. Eight seconds after the initial contact, the flight engineer deactivated both engines, and the propellers were feathered twenty seconds later.
The aircraft continued to slide for an additional 300 metres, eventually coming to a complete stop 1,670 metres from the start of the departure point. While the 32 occupants managed to evacuate the aircraft without injury, the aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
Findings
- The primary cause of the incident was the premature retraction of the landing gear during the takeoff roll, which led to the aircraft's descent onto the runway surface.