What happened
During a scheduled agricultural spraying operation in Saldus, Latvia, an aircraft experienced a loss of power shortly after departing from the airfield. Following the engine failure, the crew attempted to maneuver the plane back toward the airstrip. However, the aircraft lost altitude and was pushed by intense winds toward a nearby fuel storage facility.
While flying at an altitude of approximately 15 meters, the left lower wing of the aircraft struck the roof of diesel storage tank n°34. This initial impact caused the plane to crash into tank n°39, which subsequently triggered a massive explosion. The resulting post-crash fire completely destroyed the airframe. There were two fatalities among the crew members.
Findings
Because the wreckage was entirely consumed by the post-crash fire, investigators could not reach a definitive conclusion regarding the precise trigger of the accident. However, evidence suggested that the engine failure may have been caused by tar deposits affecting the spark plugs, leading to partial ignition failure. Additionally, investigators noted that improper responses by the crew during the emergency procedures may have contributed to the impact with the fuel tanks.