What happened
During the flight, the aircraft experienced an abrupt and unexpected loss of engine power. This mechanical failure caused the aircraft to descend at a high rate of speed toward the ground. In an attempt to manage the emergency, the pilot attempted an emergency belly landing.
As the aircraft neared the surface, the structural integrity of the airframe failed, with the fuselage breaking apart just below the cockpit area. The impact caused the wreckage to act as a large plow across the terrain. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was carrying a small number of military personnel and local residents.
The crash resulted in two fatalities, involving the pilot and a taskmaster on board. Additionally, several other passengers sustained injuries, with some of these casualties classified as serious.
Findings
- The primary factor leading to the accident was a sudden loss of power during flight.
- The structural breakup of the aircraft occurred during the landing phase, specifically below the cockpit section.