What happened
During a scheduled agricultural mission in the Veydelev region, an aircraft was performing crop spraying operations. The flight crew consisted of three pilots, an instructor, and a copilot positioned in the jumpseat. After completing an initial pass over the target area at an altitude of 130 metres and a speed of 140 km/h, the crew began a right-hand turn.
During this maneuver, the aircraft entered a steep 90-degree bank and descended to an altitude between 60 and 70 metres. As the turn progressed, the airspeed dropped to 130 km/h, which was significantly below the required speed of 155-160 km/h for the maneuver. Upon observing a hill in the flight path, the pilot attempted to increase engine power to maintain altitude. However, the aircraft struck the ground while in a landing configuration.
Following the initial impact, the crew reduced power and attempted to brake. At a speed of approximately 50-60 km/h, the aircraft collided with trees and came to a stop in a forested area. The accident resulted in three injuries and the total loss of the aircraft.
Findings
- The aircraft experienced a significant loss of airspeed during a high-angle bank.
- The descent into a low-altitude terrain coincided with an inadequate speed for the turn.