Aircraft accident during takeoff from Vilnius Airport

1 fatality • Vilnius, Lithuania • Takeoff (climb)

An aircraft experienced a stall shortly after departing Vilnius Airport, resulting in a ground impact and fire that caused one fatality.

What happened

During a departure from Vilnius Airport, the aircraft reached a rotation speed of 115 km/h. Following liftoff, the plane struggled to climb because it was operating at an excessively high angle of attack. This led to a stall condition where the aircraft lost altitude, causing the left wing to make contact with the ground.

As the flight became uncontrollable, the plane hit a ditch and two utility poles. The sequence ended approximately 1,400 meters from the departure runway, where the wreckage caught fire and was destroyed. The accident resulted in one fatality among the crew and four serious injuries to other crew members. All four passengers on board escaped without injury.

Findings

Investigations concluded that the captain utilized an incorrect takeoff configuration, which led to insufficient airspeed and a dangerous angle of attack immediately after leaving the ground. While the total weight of the aircraft was noted to be 79 kilograms above its maximum takeoff weight, this was not identified as a contributing factor to the crash.

Probable cause

The pilot's improper takeoff configuration resulted in an insufficient climb speed and an excessive angle of attack.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1959-12-17 Lisunov LI-2 accident near Vilnius, Lithuania?

An aircraft experienced a stall shortly after departing Vilnius Airport, resulting in a ground impact and fire that caused one fatality.

Were there any fatalities in the 1959-12-17 Lisunov LI-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1959-12-17 involved a Lisunov LI-2, registration CCCP-84587, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Vilnius, Lithuania.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's improper takeoff configuration resulted in an insufficient climb speed and an excessive angle of attack.

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