What happened
During a mission to spray for mosquitoes in the vicinity of Jagodina, an agricultural aircraft experienced a series of mechanical failures. After approximately 50 minutes of successful operation, the crew noticed significant engine vibrations accompanied by smoke and an oil leak.
As the crew attempted to divert to the closest airport, the leaking oil coated the windshield, resulting in a total loss of visual reference to the ground. In an effort to perform an emergency landing, the aircraft struck a tree with its left wing before coming to rest in a field. The impact caused the aircraft to be damaged beyond repair.
Findings
- The crew and all three occupants managed to evacuate the wreckage uninjured.
- The primary sequence of events was triggered by an engine malfunction involving smoke and oil leakage.
- The loss of visibility due to oil on the windscreen prevented the crew from maintaining visual contact with the terrain during the diversion.