What happened
On the afternoon of 16 July 2004, an AN-28 operated by Rigas Aeroklubs Latvia was conducting parachute jumps at the Østre Æra airstrip in Norway. After completing several successful sorties, the aircraft, registered as YL-KAB, prepared for a seventh departure carrying 20 parachutists. Following the initial drop of the first group, the aircraft began a turn to reposition for the next group. During this maneuver, the aircraft approached a large, active cumulonimbus cloud. Because the aircraft lacked weather radar, the crew was flying in close proximity to the storm cell.
While the pilot flying executed a 90-degree turn and reduced engine power to flight idle to avoid the cloud, the pilot not flying activated the anti-icing system without notifying the commander. Shortly after this action, both engines failed simultaneously, and the propellers transitioned to a feathered position. The crew attempted several engine restarts following standard procedures, but the engines remained inoperative.
Facing a lack of hydraulic power for flaps and a limited runway length, the pilot attempted an emergency landing on the 600-meter runway. To avoid parachutists descending near the strip, the approach was complicated. The aircraft touched down at a high speed of approximately 160-170 km/h. Realizing the remaining runway was insufficient for braking, the pilot used the aircraft's momentum to lift off the ground to clear an embankment. The aircraft traveled across a marshy area before the nose wheel struck a ditch, causing the aircraft to capsize and come to rest upside down. There were 0 fatalities and no injuries reported among the crew.
Findings
- The aircraft was operating near a cumulonimbus cloud without the benefit of weather radar.
- Simultaneous engine failure occurred immediately after the anti-icing system was activated.
- The lack of engine power resulted in a loss of hydraulic pressure, preventing the use of flaps and necessitating a high-speed approach.