Single-engine aircraft crash during agricultural mission in Raklevichi

1 fatality • Raklevichi, Belarus • Takeoff (climb)

An aircraft performing spraying operations for the 'Rossia' State Farm crashed into trees shortly after takeoff, resulting in one fatality.

What happened

During an agricultural spraying operation conducted for the 'Rossia' State Farm in Raklevichi, a single-engine aircraft experienced a problematic departure. During the initial takeoff roll, the aircraft failed to accelerate at the expected rate, resulting in an abnormally long ground run. The plane eventually became airborne but maintained insufficient airspeed during its climb.

Approximately one minute after departing the runway, the aircraft collided with the tops of a pine forest and came to rest in a nearby glade. The impact resulted in one fatality (the copilot) and one injury (the captain). The aircraft was completely destroyed during the accident.

Findings

Investigations into the crash identified several critical contributing factors related to flight preparation and aircraft configuration. The crew failed to adhere to established pre-takeoff checklists and did not properly configure the flaps for the departure procedure. Additionally, the aircraft was operating in an overloaded state, with a total weight of 5.7 tons at the time of the incident.

Furthermore, it was determined that the captain was under the influence of alcohol, having recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.9‰.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by improper flight preparation, including incorrect flap settings and an overloaded aircraft, compounded by pilot impairment.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-04-06 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Raklevichi, Belarus?

An aircraft performing spraying operations for the 'Rossia' State Farm crashed into trees shortly after takeoff, resulting in one fatality.

Were there any fatalities in the 1989-04-06 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-04-06 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-33363, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Raklevichi, Belarus.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by improper flight preparation, including incorrect flap settings and an overloaded aircraft, compounded by pilot impairment.

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