What happened
On September 4, 2015, the pilot of a Rus aircraft initiated a flight near the settlement of Khmelinka in the Kirsanovsky District of the Tambov region. The purpose of the flight was to survey agricultural lands in preparation for subsequent aerial chemical spraying operations. The flight took place within Class G airspace under simple meteorological conditions.
At 12:55, the pilot began the takeoff from a site located near the western edge of Khmelinka. The flight was conducted without a prior flight plan, and the pilot did not possess a specific flight plan or maps for the fields intended for treatment. While the aircraft's center of gravity was within the limits specified in the flight manual, the takeoff mass was approximately 540kg. This included 40 liters of fuel and 140kg of a herbicide mixture (Desiccant and water).
The investigation
The investigation examined the takeoff weight and the pilot's preparations. It was determined that the takeoff mass exceeded the maximum allowable limit of 495kg by approximately 45kg. Additionally, there was no available documentation regarding the completion of pre-flight or pre-takeoff preparations. The pilot had personally assessed the weather conditions at the departure site and, in the absence of a medical professional at the airfield, had personally authorized their own medical fitness for flight.
Findings
- The aircraft, registration RA-0224G, was operated with a takeoff mass exceeding the maximum allowable limit.
- The pilot performed the flight without a filed flight plan or necessary agricultural area maps.
- No records existed to confirm that standard pre-flight and pre-takeoff procedures had been completed.