Event Description
Aircraft operations at Nukha Airport began with a takeoff from a runway covered in compacted snow. Snow showers and crosswinds were present at the time. After a ground roll of 124 meters, the tail wheel lifted off as the left main gear struck an irregularity on the runway surface.
Sequence of Events
Instead of aborting the takeoff following the impact, the captain chose to continue and attempted a rapid departure. He pulled the control column to rotate the aircraft, but the speed was too low for a safe takeoff. The airplane became airborne but immediately entered a stall condition. It bounced several times before rolling into a ravine and coming to rest near the Gurdzhanachay River, approximately 900 meters past the runway threshold.
Injuries and Damage
The copilot sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Twenty-one other occupants were injured, some seriously. The aircraft was written off due to the damage.
Probable Cause
According to the official findings, the takeoff procedure was initiated from a contaminated runway (compacted snow) with lateral winds up to 5 meters per second. When an emergency situation arose from the left main gear impact, the captain failed to abandon the takeoff and instead rotated with insufficient speed, leading to an aerodynamic stall.