Agricultural aircraft crash in Rishtan

1 fatality • Rishtan, Uzbekistan • Flight

An agricultural spraying mission in Rishtan ended in a fatal accident when an aircraft struck a tree during low-altitude operations.

What happened

During an aerial application mission over local crops in the Rishtan region, an aircraft was performing routine spraying rotations. After completing five successful passes over the fields, the crew prepared to begin a sixth circuit. During this phase of the operation, the crew encountered mechanical difficulties related to the onboard spraying equipment.

While the aircraft was maintaining a flight altitude of approximately two meters, the crew's focus shifted toward addressing the malfunctioning equipment. This distraction led to the pilot-in-command failing to detect an obstacle in the flight path. The left wing of the plane collided with a tree, causing the aircraft to lose control and impact the ground. The collision resulted in the total destruction of the airframe. The accident resulted in one fatality (the copilot) and one serious injury (the captain).

Findings

Investigations into the crash determined that the primary factor was a loss of situational awareness. The crew became preoccupied with resolving a technical issue involving the spraying apparatus, which caused them to neglect monitoring the aircraft's immediate surroundings during low-level flight.

Probable cause

The crew's preoccupation with troubleshooting malfunctioning spraying equipment led to a failure to maintain adequate lookout for obstacles.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1963-06-09 Antonov AN-2 accident near Rishtan, Uzbekistan?

An agricultural spraying mission in Rishtan ended in a fatal accident when an aircraft struck a tree during low-altitude operations.

Were there any fatalities in the 1963-06-09 Antonov AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1963-06-09 involved a Antonov AN-2, registration CCCP-33116, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Rishtan, Uzbekistan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew's preoccupation with troubleshooting malfunctioning spraying equipment led to a failure to maintain adequate lookout for obstacles.

Loading the flight search…