Aircraft excursion at Valday-Avia during takeoff

No fatalities • РФ, Новгородская область, Валдайский район, п.п. "Валдай-Авиа"

An aircraft excursion occurred during a takeoff attempt at the Valday-Avia landing site in Russia, resulting in partial destruction of the aircraft.

What happened

On July 16, 2016, an aircraft departed from Shevlino airfield in the Solnechnogorsk district of the Moscow region. The flight plan, which had been coordinated with air traffic services in advance, involved a route through Class G airspace toward Manushkino, with a scheduled refueling stop at the Valday-Avia landing site in the Novgorod region.

The flight carried the pilot and two passengers. After arriving at Valday-Avia at approximately 08:08, the pilot arranged for the purchase of AI-95 automotive gasoline to refuel the aircraft. Following the refueling and a period of rest, the pilot attempted a takeoff from the site at 09:55 on a magnetic heading of 150°.

During the takeoff roll, the pilot observed that the airspeed was increasing too slowly. In response to this insufficient acceleration, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff. However, approximately 60 to 70 meters beyond the end of the runway, the aircraft's landing gear made contact with the ground. At a distance of roughly 90 meters past the runway threshold, the aircraft veered into a ravine, struck the opposite side of the depression, and sustained partial structural damage.

The investigation

Following the accident, the owner of the Valday-Avia site coordinated the evacuation of the pilot and passengers and summoned emergency medical services. The investigation focused on the takeoff performance and the circumstances surrounding the aborted takeoff attempt.

Probable cause

The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff due to a low rate of airspeed accumulation during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the aircraft overrunning the runway and entering a ravine.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2016-07-16 Cessna 172K accident near РФ, Новгородская область, Валдайский район, п.п. "Валдай-Авиа"?

An aircraft excursion occurred during a takeoff attempt at the Valday-Avia landing site in Russia, resulting in partial destruction of the aircraft.

Were there any fatalities in the 2016-07-16 Cessna 172K accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2016-07-16 involved a Cessna 172K, registration RA-67480, operated by Частное лицо, at РФ, Новгородская область, Валдайский район, п.п. "Валдай-Авиа".

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot attempted to abort the takeoff due to a low rate of airspeed accumulation during the takeoff roll, which resulted in the aircraft overrunning the runway and entering a ravine.

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