3 fatalities

Aircraft Crash During Pesticide Spraying Mission Near Kostanay (CCCP-13653)

Ksenyevka, KazakhstanTakeoff (climb)

On June 28, 1962, an Antonov AN-2 (registration CCCP-13653) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Ksenyevka, Kazakhstan during takeoff. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Lack of discipline and rigor on part of the captain who decided to make a steep climb after departure and hazardous maneuvers at low altitude with two passengers on board, which was against the published procedures. 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 aircraft conducting pesticide spraying stalled and crashed after a steep climb and left turn. Four occupants rescued but severely burned; two passengers and the copilot later died. Aircraft destroyed by fire.

Incident

The aircraft was engaged in a local pesticides spraying mission at Ksenyevka sovkhoz, approximately 160 kilometers northeast of Kostanay. Immediately after takeoff, the pilot-in-command pulled on the control column, initiating a steep climb followed by a sharp left turn at low altitude. Due to insufficient speed, the airplane stalled and crashed, resulting in a fire that destroyed the aircraft.

Casualties

All four occupants were rescued from the wreckage but suffered severe burns. A few hours later, two passengers—a 7-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl—died from their injuries. Two days after the accident, the copilot also died from his injuries.

Probable Cause

The official investigation attributed the accident to a lack of discipline and rigor on the part of the captain, who decided to perform a steep climb after departure and hazardous maneuvers at low altitude with two passengers on board, which violated published procedures.