What happened
During a series of preparatory flight tests conducted ahead of a scheduled mission to China, a Romanian Presidential aircraft was performing several circuits near Bucharest-Otopeni Airport. As the crew, which included both pilots and engineers, was on short final for landing, the aircraft experienced a sudden roll to the left. This movement caused the number 1 and number 2 engines on the left side to make contact with the runway surface.
Upon impact, a fuel line was ruptured, leading to an immediate ignition of fuel. The crew responded by executing emergency braking procedures and successfully navigated the aircraft off the active runway via a taxiway. Although the aircraft was engulfed in flames, all 13 occupants managed to evacuate the plane without injury. The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
Findings
- The primary cause of the fire was a ruptured fuel line resulting from the engines striking the runway.
- The incident occurred during the landing phase of flight during non-operational test maneuvers.