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11 fatalities

Częstochowa-Rudniki Skydiving Aircraft Crash (N11WB)

Częstochowa-Rudniki, PolandTakeoff (climb)

On July 5, 2014, a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo (registration N11WB) operated by Omega Skydiving School was involved in an aviation accident near Częstochowa-Rudniki, Poland during takeoff. 11 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The official findings identified that the aircraft was operated without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accidents Investigation (PKBWL)Updated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-engine aircraft crashed after a left engine failure during a skydiving flight at Częstochowa-Rudniki Airport, killing 11 people and injuring 3.

Incident Overview and Flight Details A twin-engine aircraft was conducting a series of skydiving flights at Częstochowa-Rudniki Airport in Silesia. The aircraft departed from runway 26C with a crew of one pilot and 11 skydivers on board. During the initial climb, the pilot encountered technical problems with the engines at an altitude of 100 metres and decided to make an emergency landing. The pilot informed the passengers of the emergency situation and reduced the aircraft's altitude. As the aircraft rolled to the left to an angle of 70 degrees, it stalled and crashed into a wooded area, where it burst into flames. The wreckage was located 4,200 metres past the end of the runway. Three skydivers sustained serious injuries, while nine other occupants were killed. A few minutes later, two of the survivors died from their injuries.

Probable cause

The official findings identified that the aircraft was operated without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness. A left engine failure during initial climb, caused by a crankshaft failure, led to a propeller malfunction that could not be feathered, resulting in asymmetry and a stall condition. Damage to the pin clutch connecting the crankshaft to the drive shaft of the right engine transmission may have been caused by an earlier propeller blade impact with an obstacle or a long-term fatigue process due to uneven engine operation. Additional contributing factors included improper maintenance, low power from the left engine due to improper operation, fuel that did not meet engine manufacturer requirements, aircraft modifications in violation of its Type Certificate, and high ambient temperature.
Maintenance error

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Jul 2014 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident near Częstochowa-Rudniki, Poland?

A twin-engine aircraft crashed after a left engine failure during a skydiving flight at Częstochowa-Rudniki Airport, killing 11 people and injuring 3.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Jul 2014 Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 11 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Jul 2014 involved a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo, registration N11WB, operated by Omega Skydiving School, at Częstochowa-Rudniki, Poland.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The official findings identified that the aircraft was operated without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness. A left engine failure during initial climb, caused by a crankshaft failure, led to a propeller malfunction that could not be feathered, resulting in asymmetry and a stall condition. Damage to the pin clutch…

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