What happened
During a mid-morning local post-maintenance flight, an aircraft departed from Leeds-Bradford Airport. The purpose of the flight was to prepare the plane for a scheduled transfer to Pakistan on behalf of UNO, which was set to occur the following day.
As the aircraft approached runway 15, observers noted that the plane was flying at a lower altitude and a slower velocity than is typical for such an approach. While performing the turn onto the final approach path, the aircraft entered a left-hand spin. After completing several rotations, the plane struck a wooded area and subsequently caught fire. The flight crew, consisting of one pilot and one engineer, sustained two fatalities.
Findings
Investigations concluded that the aircraft entered an accelerated stall. This maneuver likely occurred because the pilot attempted to return to the approach centerline using a turn rate that was higher than normal for the given conditions. Several elements contributed to the accident, including the low airspeed of the aircraft and gusty weather conditions. Additionally, the handling characteristics related to the aircraft's modified flap system were identified as a contributing factor in the loss of control.