JAK-52 LY-ARB Accident at Pociūnai Aerodrome

Incident Overview and Sequence of Events On 11 February 2003, a JAK-52 with the registration LY-ARB was being test-flown at Pociūnai Aerodrome following maintenance by UAB „Nerka“. The aircraft was operated by a single pilot. The first test flight took place at 12:00 local time and lasted 30 minutes. The second flight was intended for photographing the aircraft at a low altitude of approximately 5 meters. After takeoff at 12:35, the pilot began a landing approach parallel to the left side of the runway. During the approach, the pilot misjudged the altitude and struck the ground with the retracted landing gear wheels and the engine propeller. The propeller tips were damaged upon contact with the ground. ## Aircraft Damage and Human Impact The pilot decided to land, pulled the control stick back to gain 10-15 meters of altitude, and extended the landing flaps. After flying approximately 250 meters at minimum power, the pilot initiated a right turn to avoid obstacles beyond the aerodrome. After turning approximately 90 degrees, the aircraft rolled onto its wing and struck the runway at 12:38 local time. The aircraft first impacted the ground with the right wing, followed by the propeller and the front lower part of the engine, and finally the left wingtip. It slid on its lower fuselage for about 75 meters before coming to a stop. The pilot sustained a minor head injury, and the aircraft was heavily damaged, including severe structural damage to the right wing, a deformed fuselage, and a broken propeller. ## Aircraft and Pilot Details The JAK-52, serial number 844703, was manufactured in Romania in 1984. It had a special airworthiness certificate issued on 4 February 2003. The pilot was a 41-year-old Lithuanian citizen holding a commercial pilot license. He had a total of 1,412.28 flight hours, including 1,059.47 hours on the JAK-52. The aircraft had not undergone its scheduled major overhaul, and the engine had not received its required early overhaul after a previous incident. ## Environmental and Aerodrome Conditions The aerodrome was covered with 10-12 cm of compacted snow, and a 900x20 m runway was prepared by a homemade device. No temporary runway markings or windsocks were installed. The pilot reported good weather with a weak crosswind, but noted that the sun was shining and caused glare. Meteorological data from Kaunas Aerodrome, located 35 km away, indicated a wind of 190° at 10 knots and visibility of more than 10 km at 12:20 local time.