What happened
During an agricultural spraying mission in the Kherson region, an aircraft was operating at an altitude of approximately 50 meters. While the co-pilot was executing a turn, the engine experienced a sudden loss of power. This loss of thrust led to an aerodynamic stall, causing the aircraft to descend into an open field.
The accident resulted in one fatality and one serious injury. The co-pilot was killed in the crash, while the captain sustained serious injuries.
Findings
An investigation into the crash determined that the primary cause of the accident was a loss of control at low altitude following an engine malfunction. Specifically, the valve of the number one cylinder became blocked, which led to the momentary failure of the engine power.
Technical analysis revealed that the blockage was caused by dust accumulation within the valve. Because the aircraft was frequently operated in dusty environments and had not undergone regular cleaning of the engine components, debris was able to obstruct the mechanism, triggering the engine failure during the maneuver.