Investigation Summary
The aircraft, an Antonov An-24B leased from Romavia, arrived in Verona at 18:43 and remained parked for approximately one hour during continuous snowfall. Despite the conditions, the captain declined de-icing services. During the taxi and subsequent departure delay due to heavy traffic, ice and snow continued to accumulate on the airframe. Furthermore, the aircraft was later determined to be approximately 2,000 kg over its maximum takeoff weight. As the aircraft climbed away from runway 23, the disrupted airflow over the contaminated wings led to a dramatic drop in airspeed. The crew attempted to recover by applying nose-down elevator, but a subsequent nose-up input caused the speed to bleed off to 155 km/h. The aircraft stalled and rolled into a 67-degree right bank, crashing right-wing first into a field. Investigators also noted a slight power loss in the right engine and suggested the crew likely suffered spatial disorientation due to the aircraft's unusual attitude in darkness and falling snow.
Final Conclusions
The Italian investigative commission concluded the probable cause was the loss of control due to aerodynamic degradation caused by ice formation, resulting from the commander's decision to take off without performing required de-icing and anti-icing procedures. Contributing factors included a 2,000 kg overload, the crew's underestimation of weather conditions, spatial disorientation in night/snow conditions, and a slight decrease in power from the right-hand engine.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Copilot
Systems & Failure Modes
De-icing / Anti-icing Systems
The aircraft was equipped with systems to shed ice, but these are not designed to clear heavy ground accumulation; the crew's failure to use ground de-icing services led to critical wing contamination.
Ivchenko AI-24 Engines
A slight decrease in power was noted in the right-hand engine during the initial climb, which may have exacerbated the control difficulties.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was overloaded by approximately 2,000 kg beyond its maximum takeoff weight.
- 02At the time of takeoff, weather conditions were: wind 290 degrees at 2 knots, visibility 1,300m, RVR 2,000m in haze and snow, overcast at 500 ft, and QNH 1010.
- 03A preceding Air France flight at the same airport had returned to the apron because it exceeded its de-icing holdover time.
- 04The flight crew failed to deliver a load sheet to the airport traffic office, preventing an official weight check.
- 05The crash resulted in the deaths of 31 Italian businessmen, 4 Serbs, and 14 Romanians.
- 06The aircraft was 28 years old at the time of the accident, having been manufactured in 1967.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Airport Ground Handling Oversight
The investigation highlighted a failure in the oversight of ground operations, specifically that airport management representatives did not demand or verify the aircraft's load sheet before departure. Recommendations focused on ensuring that airport traffic offices strictly enforce the collection and verification of weight and balance documentation for all departing flights.
De-icing Procedures and Holdover Times
The accident underscored the critical importance of adhering to de-icing and anti-icing procedures in freezing precipitation. The report noted that while other crews (such as an Air France flight) correctly returned to the apron after exceeding holdover times, the Banat Air crew's failure to de-ice at all necessitated a review of pilot education regarding ground icing hazards and the enforcement of 'clean wing' regulations.