What happened
During a mission to spray rabies vaccines, an aircraft operating in southern Poland, close to the Czech border, encountered deteriorating weather conditions. While the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of approximately 100 metres, heavy fog began to obscure visibility. In an attempt to navigate the worsening conditions, the crew increased engine power to climb to a higher altitude.
During this maneuver, the aircraft type struck treetops and crashed into hilly terrain. The impact occurred just a few hundred metres from the Polish border, and the occupants subsequently discovered they had entered the Czech Republic. Despite the aircraft being damaged beyond repair, all four occupants managed to exit the cabin and escaped the crash site with zero fatalities and zero injuries.
Findings
- The crew attempted to gain altitude to mitigate the effects of fog.
- Low visibility due to fog led to the aircraft striking vegetation during the climb.