What happened
During a local test flight intended to verify work completed following recent maintenance, a twin-engine aircraft experienced a loss of control. As the plane was performing its takeoff roll, it veered away from the runway centerline and exited the paved surface. The aircraft subsequently came to rest in a state of fire, which resulted in the total destruction of the airframe.
Among the occupants on board, one technician sustained fatal injuries. Additionally, four other individuals suffered serious injuries during the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the crash identified several mechanical and procedural issues related to the aircraft's landing gear system. The primary factor was the retraction of the landing gear during the takeoff phase, which occurred because a component had been incorrectly installed.
Further contributing factors included:
- Issues with the landing gear switches, levers, and cranking mechanism
- Errors in maintenance procedures
- The decision to conduct a test flight following a previous malfunction of the gear system
- Incorrect wiring of the landing gear control switch