Piper PA-31-310 Navajo crash, Jul 5, 2014 (11 killed), Cz...
Piper PA-31-310 Navajo accident on July 5, 2014 near Częstochowa-Rudniki, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland with 11 fatalities. Cause: PKBWL: Failure of the...
- Date: July 5, 2014
- Aircraft: Piper PA-31-310 Navajo
- Location: Częstochowa-Rudniki, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
- Fatalities: 11
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: PKBWL: Failure of the left engine after its crankshaft failed during initial climb left the propeller unable to feather, causing asymmetry and a stall. The aircraft was also operated without a valid CofA and had improper maintenance, as summarized by BAAA.
On 5 July 2014 a Piper PA31P Navajo operated by Omega Skydiving School took off from Czestochowa Rudniki with 11 skydivers and a pilot for a skydiving flight. Shortly after takeoff, at about 100 metres, the pilot reported engine problems and turned back, but the aircraft rolled left, stalled and crashed in a wooded area about 4,200 metres past the runway end, catching fire. Eleven people died, including two who died later of their injuries. The Polish investigation (PKBWL report 0981/14) found the aircraft was operated without a valid certificate of airworthiness and had been maintained improperly.