What happened
On June 21, 2008, at approximately 17:11 UTC, an Antonov-2 biplane, operated by a commercial rental company, departed from the Krems-Langenlois airfield in Austria for a series of tandem parachute jumps. The aircraft was carrying the pilot and 14 passengers, including seven tandem masters and seven passengers.
Shortly after takeoff from runway 29, the pilot experienced significant aircraft instability due to an extreme aft center of gravity. The aircraft's pitch became difficult to manage, causing it to climb forward and veer left. During this period of instability, the aircraft struck a group of trees approximately 15 meters in height located west of the airfield. Following the collision, which caused substantial damage to the wings, the pilot successfully crossed a federal highway and performed a controlled emergency landing in an adjacent grain field. There were no injuries among the 15 people on board, and all occupants were able to exit the aircraft unaided.
The investigation
The Austrian Federal Safety Investigation Board (SUB) reconstructed the flight sequence using statements from the pilot, passengers, and eyewitnesses, alongside findings from local police. The investigation focused on the aircraft's loading configuration, the pilot's awareness of the passenger count, and the distribution of weight within the cabin. Investigators examined the aircraft's technical condition, fuel load, and the meteorological conditions present at the time of the accident.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating with a center of gravity outside of the permissible range, specifically in a tail-heavy configuration.
- The total number of persons on board was 15, which exceeded the maximum certified capacity of 14 people.
- The pilot was unaware of the exact number of passengers on board, as no formal passenger manifest or headcount was verified prior to departure.
- There was a lack of instruction provided to the passengers regarding their seating positions; specifically, two passengers were located in the rear of the aircraft in an area without seatbelts.
- While the aircraft's total takeoff weight remained within legal limits, the lack of weight distribution control led to the loss of control in flight (LOC-I).