What happened
While performing a takeoff roll at Paola Airport, the pilot initiated an aborted takeoff procedure by attempting to apply emergency braking. The twin engine airplane was unable to halt before reaching the end of the runway, causing it to overshoot the paved surface and enter a nearby ravine. Upon leaving the runway, the aircraft caught fire, which ultimately led to the total destruction of the airframe.
Despite the intensity of the post-crash fire, all 10 occupants—consisting of the pilot and nine skydivers—successfully exited the wreckage. There were no injuries reported among the passengers or the crew following the incident.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that the accident was triggered by a premature liftoff attempt, as the pilot failed to achieve the necessary airspeed for a safe departure. Several contributing factors were identified during the analysis of the event:
- Incorrect management of the powerplant and its associated controls
- An error in engine power reduction where the pilot only retarded one engine after the aircraft settled back onto the runway
- The subsequent loss of directional control leading to the runway excursion