What happened
On December 19, 1993, an AN-2, registration LY-ADO, operated by the Kaunas-based airline "Lietuva," was performing flight KLA Nr.5301 from Suwałki Aerodrome in Poland to Kaunas, Lithuania. The aircraft was carrying 12 passengers and one aviation technician.
During the takeoff roll, the tailwheel lifted approximately 320 meters from the start of the runway. Shortly after liftoff, the aircraft's nose pitched up abruptly, causing a significant loss of airspeed. At an altitude of approximately 15 to 20 meters, the aircraft struck the ground on all three landing gear points. The impact caused extensive structural damage, including deformation of the fuselage, wings, and engine mount. A fire broke out in the engine compartment due to a ruptured fuel line, but the crew successfully deployed the fire extinguishing system and evacuated all occupants. There was one injury reported among the passengers; the crew and remaining passengers escaped without serious harm.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's maintenance history, the crew's performance, and the loading conditions. Investigators reviewed the technical status of the engine and airframe, noting that recent periodic maintenance had been completed in October 1993. Witnesses, including ground personnel and the onboard technician, were interviewed to determine if any mechanical failures occurred during flight; however, no pre-existing technical malfunctions were identified.
Findings
The investigation established that the primary causes of the accident were related to improper loading:
- The aircraft exceeded its maximum allowable commercial weight.
- The aircraft exulated the maximum allowable center of gravity limits.
- The cargo/baggage was improperly arranged within the cabin.
- There were more passengers on board than available seats.
- Suwałki Aerodrome lacked scales to verify the weight of the baggage.
Contributing factors included a lack of oversight by the airline management regarding flight safety on the Kaunas-Suwałki route and a lack of crew responsibility regarding weight and balance verification.