Incident Overview
On September 21, 2025, at approximately 17:10 local time, a Cessna 150L with registration ES-ECJ (serial number 15072707) was involved in an accident near Voka village in Ida-Virumaa, Estonia. The aircraft, manufactured in 1971, was operating with two people on board: a 59-year-old male pilot and one passenger. The pilot held a valid Private Pilot License (PPL(A)) and Class 2 medical certificate, with a total flight time of 1,431.7 hours.
Operational Context
The flight originated from a grass strip in Matka village, Lüganuse parish, with the intended destination being Jõhvi Airport (EEJI). The pilot had planned to make a low approach at Voka before continuing to Jõhvi. However, upon arriving at the Voka grass field, the decision was made to land and subsequently take off from that location instead of performing the planned low pass.
Accident Sequence
The aircraft landed at approximately 17:07 local time. After turning around at the southeastern end of the strip, the pilot initiated a takeoff roll toward the northwest at 17:09. The runway length was approximately 435 meters. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft failed to achieve sufficient speed and altitude. As it approached the end of the strip, the pilot increased the elevator setting from 10 degrees to 20 degrees to generate additional lift. Before gaining adequate height, the nose gear struck silage bales located at the northwest end of the field.
Damage and Injuries
The impact with the silage bales caused both main landing gear legs to break, forcing the nose downward. The propeller and nose gear struck the ground, causing the engine to stop. The aircraft rolled over approximately 10 meters away from the bales. The airframe sustained severe damage, including a broken nose gear, shattered propeller, detached engine, and significant deformation of the fuselage and tail assembly. The pilot sustained minor injuries and was transported to a hospital, while the passenger suffered no significant harm.
Investigation Findings
The investigation determined that technical failures were not the cause of the accident. Key factors included: 1. Overweight Condition: The aircraft took off from Matka at 765.9 kg, exceeding the maximum takeoff weight of 725.7 kg by 40.2 kg. Even after consuming fuel during the flight to Voka, the aircraft was still approximately 30 kg over the limit. 2. Runway Conditions: The takeoff surface was a mown meadow rather than a maintained grass runway, which affects performance compared to standard conditions described in the Pilot's Operating Handbook (POH). 3. Configuration and Environment: A tailwind component of approximately 2.4 m/s was present. The pilot used a 10-degree elevator setting during the roll, deviating from standard procedures for maximum performance.
The investigation concluded that the accident was caused by the pilot's deviation from operating procedures and an incorrect assessment of the required takeoff distance given the aircraft's weight, runway surface, and wind conditions.