1 fatality

Intoxicated Pilot Crashes Antonov An-2 After Takeoff (CCCP-43833)

Karaganda, KazakhstanTakeoff (climb)

On July 24, 1963, an Antonov AN-2 (registration CCCP-43833) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Karaganda, Kazakhstan during takeoff. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot was dismissed, upon his request, one month prior to the accident and his capabilities and performances were reduced as he was intoxicated at the time of the accident. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An intoxicated pilot took off in an Antonov An-2, insulted ATC, and crashed three minutes after rotation when the aircraft banked sharply left and struck the ground near the terminal, destroying the aircraft and killing the pilot.

Incident Overview

Early in the morning, a pilot who had been drinking alcohol decided to take off in an Antonov AN-2 aircraft bound for Aktobe. The pilot, who had been separated from his spouse and was intoxicated, went to the airport and managed to initiate takeoff after insulting the air traffic controller.

Accident Sequence

Three minutes after rotation, while the aircraft was at a height of 20 meters, the airplane banked left to an angle of 50–60°, plunged into the earth, and crashed near the terminal. The aircraft was destroyed, and the pilot was killed.

Official Findings

The probable cause determined by the investigation stated that the pilot had been dismissed, upon his request, one month prior to the accident. His capabilities and performances were reduced because he was intoxicated at the time of the accident.