What happened
On the date of the accident, a twin-engine aircraft departed from Tallinn-Ülemiste Airport, bound for Helsinki to deliver a 514-kilogram mail load. The flight was operated by a crew consisting of two pilots and one mechanic.
During the initial climb phase, specifically four seconds after departing runway 08, the aircraft reached an altitude of 12 metres while traveling at 170 km/h. At this moment, the crew experienced vibrations originating from the left engine. In an attempt to manage the issue, the pilot moved the left engine power lever to the idle position before pushing it fully forward again.
Despite these actions, the aircraft failed to maintain altitude. The plane's nose dropped, leading to a crash into a wooded area situated approximately one kilometre beyond the end of the runway. The accident resulted in two fatalities among the pilots, while the mechanic sustained serious injuries.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced mechanical vibrations in the left engine during the takeoff climb.
- The failure to maintain altitude following engine power fluctuations led to the subsequent loss of control and impact.