What happened
During a departure from an airfield situated within a mountainous region, a single-engine airplane failed to achieve the necessary airspeed required for a safe climb. Approximately 1,050 meters away from the runway, the aircraft descended to an altitude of roughly 15 to 20 meters, where it collided with the tops of trees.
Following the impact, the pilot deactivated the engine and performed an emergency landing within a nearby wooded area. Although the impact caused significant damage that rendered the aircraft a total loss, all 12 occupants managed to exit the plane without sustaining any injuries.
Findings
Investigations into the accident determined that the primary reason for the insufficient climb performance was the failure of the crew to retract the flaps before takeoff. This error resulted in the aircraft attempting to depart at an inadequate speed for the terrain. Additionally, a lack of adequate training for the crew regarding these specific flight operations was identified as a contributing factor to the event.