Incident Overview
A crew consisting of three engineers was conducting a series of ground tests on an aircraft. The tests involved high-speed taxi runs on a taxiway. During one of these runs, the crew lost control of the aircraft.
Sequence of Events
While rolling at high speed, the aircraft suddenly veered to the left and departed the taxiway. It continued onto the adjacent area and eventually struck a group of trees. The collision brought the aircraft to a stop.
Probable Cause
According to official findings, the probable cause of the accident was that the crew failed to prepare the mission properly and forgot to remove the rudder lock prior to starting the test maneuvers. This oversight rendered the rudder immovable, preventing the crew from maintaining directional control during the high-speed roll.
Damage and Occupant Status
The aircraft sustained extensive damage and was deemed beyond repair. Despite the severity of the impact, all three crew members emerged from the incident without any injuries. They were able to evacuate the aircraft unaided.
Aftermath
The event was investigated by the relevant authorities. The findings highlighted the importance of pre-mission checklists and proper configuration verification before commencing ground tests.