Fatal mid-air structural failure during training flight near Kyiv

5 fatalities • Gorbovichi, Ukraine • Flight

A training mission involving five crew members ended in a fatal crash west of Kyiv after an aircraft suffered catastrophic structural failure during cruise.

What happened

A training flight departed from Kiev-Zhuliany Airport at 09:36 local time, intended to visit Byshev and Borodyanka before returning to the origin. The crew, which included two pilots and three instructors, was operating the aircraft at an altitude of approximately 1,000 meters under favorable weather conditions. While traveling west of Kyiv, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of control as various components of the airframe detached, sending the plane into a steep dive.

As the aircraft descended to an altitude of roughly 50 meters, three members of the crew attempted to bail out. The aircraft subsequently struck a field in Gorbovichi, located about 24 km west of Kyiv, at a descent angle between 35 and 40 degrees. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft and a wide dispersal of debris. All five crew members were killed in the accident; while three individuals managed to exit the plane, the low altitude prevented a successful survival.

Findings

Investigations into the accident concluded that the primary reason for the loss of control was a structural failure of the wings and several fuselage components. This disintegration was attributed to inherent design flaws and significant manufacturing defects within the aircraft.

Probable cause

The aircraft suffered catastrophic structural failure due to improper design and manufacturing defects in the wings and fuselage.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1951-09-07 Antonov AN-2 accident near Gorbovichi, Ukraine?

A training mission involving five crew members ended in a fatal crash west of Kyiv after an aircraft suffered catastrophic structural failure during cruise.

Were there any fatalities in the 1951-09-07 Antonov AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1951-09-07 involved a Antonov AN-2, registration CCCP-A2583, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Gorbovichi, Ukraine.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft suffered catastrophic structural failure due to improper design and manufacturing defects in the wings and fuselage.

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