Investigation Summary
The accident involved two aircraft operated by Dubnica Air, OM-SAB and OM-ODQ, which were rehearsing a formation jump for the Slavnica 2015 Air Show. Each aircraft carried 17 skydivers and two pilots. During the climb, the aircraft were maneuvering to establish a close formation. Investigators determined that the captain of OM-ODQ was recording video with his mobile phone, held in his left hand, while piloting with his right hand. This led to a loss of situational awareness and poor flight management, causing OM-ODQ to close within the agreed 100-meter safety distance. Additionally, OM-ODQ was found to be operating above its Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW). The collision resulted in both aircraft losing control; however, the nature of the skydiving mission meant the cabin doors were prepared for exit, allowing the majority of the parachutists to escape the falling wreckage. The aircraft crashed into difficult, forested terrain near the village of Červený Kameň.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the primary cause of the mid-air collision was poor flight management by the captain of OM-ODQ. Contributing factors included the captain's use of a mobile phone during the flight and the fact that OM-ODQ was loaded beyond its maximum allowable takeoff weight.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Dubnica Air Formation Lead — Let L-410MA · OM-SAB
Dubnica Air Formation Wing — Let L-410UVP · OM-ODQ
Crew Experience
Captain
Copilot
Captain
Systems & Failure Modes
Weight and Balance
OM-ODQ was determined to be operating above its Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) at the time of the accident.
Communication Devices
The captain of OM-ODQ was using a mobile phone during the flight, which served as a critical distraction during formation maneuvering.
Interesting Facts
- 0131 skydivers successfully bailed out of the aircraft after the collision and survived.
- 02The aircraft were rehearsing for the Slavnica 2015 Air Show scheduled for the following Sunday.
- 03One of the deceased crew members was Michal Česnek, a former Slovak professional ice hockey player.
- 04OM-SAB was a Let L-410MA manufactured in 1975, while OM-ODQ was a Let L-410UVP manufactured in 1984.
- 05The collision occurred in the district of Ilava, north-western Slovakia.
- 06One skydiver from the lead plane (OM-SAB) died because his parachute failed to deploy after he successfully exited the aircraft.
- 07Two skydivers on the trailing plane (OM-ODQ) were rendered unconscious by the violent maneuvers following the collision, preventing their escape.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Mobile Device Restrictions
The investigation highlighted the critical danger of mobile phone use by pilots during flight, particularly during high-workload maneuvers like formation flying, leading to reinforced operational discipline regarding electronic devices.