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4 fatalities

Alcohol-Impaired Pilots in Unauthorized Flight Result in Fatal Crash Near Shelopugino (CCCP-55617)

Shelopugino, RussiaFlight

On May 31, 1981, an Antonov AN-2 (registration CCCP-55617) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Shelopugino, Russia in flight. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command was intoxicated (2.3‰ blood alcohol), the pilot supervisor (1‰), and the passenger (1.2‰); the copilot was not intoxicated. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

Four people died when an airplane crashed after stalling during hazardous maneuvers near Shelopugino. The pilot-in-command, pilot supervisor, and passenger were intoxicated; the copilot was not.

Incident

Three pilots and a passenger departed Shelopugino at 1807 local time on an unauthorized local flight. After takeoff, the pilot-in-command followed the Turov River at an altitude of 100 to 150 meters when he initiated hazardous maneuvers. The airplane climbed and adopted a high nose-up attitude, then stalled, plunged into the earth, and crashed in a vertical (90-degree angle) attitude about 10 kilometers south of Shelopugino. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact, and all four occupants were killed.

Investigation

The official investigation determined the probable cause. The pilot-in-command was intoxicated, as were the pilot supervisor and the passenger. The copilot was not intoxicated. Analysis revealed a blood alcohol level of 2.3‰ in the pilot-in-command, 1‰ in the pilot supervisor, and 1.2‰ in the passenger.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 31 May 1981 Antonov AN-2 accident near Shelopugino, Russia?

Four people died when an airplane crashed after stalling during hazardous maneuvers near Shelopugino. The pilot-in-command, pilot supervisor, and passenger were intoxicated; the copilot was not.

Were there any fatalities in the 31 May 1981 Antonov AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 4 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 31 May 1981 involved an Antonov AN-2, registration CCCP-55617, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Shelopugino, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot-in-command was intoxicated (2.3‰ blood alcohol), the pilot supervisor (1‰), and the passenger (1.2‰); the copilot was not intoxicated.

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