What happened
On July 9, 1998, at approximately 12:00 local time, an Antonov 22, registration LY-AOS, departed Kaunas (Aleksotas) Aerodrome for a flight to Liepāja, Latvia. The flight was operated by a crew consisting of a pilot instructor and a student pilot.
Upon approaching Kaunas (Karmėlavos) Aerodrome, the aircraft performed a 360-degree turn in the fourth turn area due to runway occupancy caused by ongoing reconstruction works, following instructions from the air traffic controller. The landing was completed without deviations, crossing over the construction zone as instructed.
During the taxi phase following landing, the aircraft initially followed the centerline but began drifting to the left while on taxiway A. Despite the pilot's attempts to maintain the taxi direction using pulsed braking on the right wheel, the aircraft traveled approximately 125 meters before veering off the runway. The aircraft's right wheel entered softer ground, causing the right lower wing to strike the terrain. This impact induced a 180-degree rotation, leading the aircraft to strike the ground with its left landing gear. The impact resulted in a bent left main gear strut, a broken left gear leg, and significant deformation to both the left and right lower wings.
No injuries were reported during the incident. Although the instructor exited the aircraft with a fire extinguisher due to fears of a potential fire, no fire occurred.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft's mechanical condition, the aerodrome environment, and the crew's performance. Technical inspections of the braking system by experts from "Lietuvos avialinijos" confirmed the brakes were in compliance with technical standards. The investigation also identified several administrative and maintenance irregularities, including a lack of documented pre-flight technical inspections, an expired Certificate of Airworthiness, improper flight documentation, and the fact that the student pilot was not authorized for solo flight.
Findings
- Pilot error due to the student pilot's lack of experience in maintaining taxi direction during a crosswind component.
- The presence of a side wind of approximately 1.5 m/s acting on the left side of the aircraft.
- Lack of oversight regarding the student pilot's flight training records and solo flight privileges.
- Inadequate pre-flight maintenance documentation and expired airworthiness certification.