What happened
During a routine agricultural mission involving pesticide application at the Ksenyevka sovkhoz, located approximately 160 km northeast of Kostanay, an aircraft experienced a catastrophic loss of control. Shortly after departing from the airfield, the pilot-in-command executed a sudden pull on the control column, initiating a steep ascent followed by a sharp left-hand turn while maintaining low altitude.
This maneuver caused the aircraft to lose sufficient airspeed, leading to an aerodynamic stall. The subsequent impact resulted in the aircraft being destroyed by fire. While all four people on board were initially pulled from the wreckage, they had sustained severe burns. The two passengers, a 7-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, succumbed to their injuries several hours after the crash. Additionally, the co-pilot passed away two days following the accident, bringing the total fatalities to three.
Findings
Official investigations concluded that the accident was driven by a lack of professional discipline and rigor from the captain. The pilot chose to perform high-angle climbs and dangerous maneuvers at low altitudes while carrying passengers, which directly violated established flight procedures.