Accident Sequence
The accident occurred during takeoff from runway 05. After a ground run of 700 meters, the captain initiated rotation. The aircraft climbed to an altitude of approximately 50 to 60 feet at a speed of 233 km/h. At that point, the pilot-in-command retracted the flaps. The aircraft subsequently lost height and entered an aerodynamic stall. The pilot responded by closing the throttles and performing a belly landing on the remaining runway surface. The aircraft slid for 200 meters before overrunning the runway end. It then crossed a road, where it struck two girls who were standing. The aircraft came to rest near a drainage ditch, broken into two sections. All 34 occupants on board were evacuated safely. The two girls, aged 16 and 4, were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.
Investigation and Probable Cause
The official investigation could not determine the exact cause of the accident with certainty. A thorough technical examination found no evidence of a pre-impact technical failure in any part of the aircraft. Although the damping of the cable tensioners did not fully meet specifications, the investigating board considered this unlikely to have affected the aircraft's steerability. The board noted that the ascent profile was somewhat flatter than normal, which may have led to a rapid execution of the "flaps up" and first power reduction commands. This sequence possibly required a greater steering movement than the captain was accustomed to. However, the board concluded that such a situation need not have been serious as long as the captain retained confidence in being able to return the aircraft to ascending flight. Ultimately, the investigation did not provide a clear cause for the accident.