What happened
A flight test was conducted to evaluate the vibration characteristics and blade stiffness of propellers for the Beriev BE1/03 amphibious aircraft. To facilitate these measurements, a specialized test propeller equipped with wire strain gauges was installed on the left-hand engine at the manufacturer's facility in Straubing. The aircraft's left-hand propeller governor was specifically adjusted to 2940 rpm to allow the engine to reach 105% of its maximum allowable rpm during the testing process. Following several calibration runs, a flight test was initiated.
During the takeoff sequence, the pilot taxied to the far end of the 940-meter runway. Although the aircraft's weight suggested a takeoff roll of approximately 300 meters, the aircraft continued past the halfway mark of the runway. The aircraft eventually rotated and became airborne after traveling roughly 700 meters at a high angle of attack. After reaching an altitude of between 10 and 15 meters, the pilot retracted the landing gear. Immediately following this action, the aircraft entered a shallow descent while maintaining a nose-up attitude and began a left turn. The aircraft subsequently struck a roadside bank approximately 600 meters beyond the runway end, resulting in a post-impact fire. The accident resulted in one fatality.
Findings
Video documentation of the flight indicated that engine noise remained constant and normal throughout the duration of the event. The aircraft was destroyed by the impact and the subsequent fire.