8 fatalities

Training Flight Crashes After Takeoff in Poor Visibility, Eight Killed (CCCP-07914)

Saratov-Goretskoye, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On February 5, 1965, an Antonov AN-2 (registration CCCP-07914) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Saratov-Goretskoye, Russia during takeoff. 8 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Probable spatial disorientation on part of the pilot-in-command following while taking off in whiteout conditions with a caged gyro. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 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

A single-engine airplane carrying an instructor and seven cadets crashed shortly after takeoff from Goretskoye Airport, killing all eight occupants. The pilot likely lost spatial orientation after taking off with a caged gyro horizon in whiteout conditions.

Accident Details

Shortly after takeoff from Goretskoye Airport in poor visibility, while at a height of 100-120 meters, the pilot made a first turn to the right. Five seconds later, the pilot turned to the left. Suddenly, the single-engine airplane lost height, plunged into the earth, and crashed in flames in a snow-covered field located 2,100 meters from the airfield. The airplane was destroyed by a post-crash fire.

Occupants and Injuries

All eight occupants, one instructor and seven cadets, were killed in the accident.

Potential Contributing Factors

According to information from the investigation, the pilot had probably taken off with a caged gyro horizon, leading to a loss of spatial orientation in whiteout conditions.

Probable cause

Probable spatial disorientation on part of the pilot-in-command following while taking off in whiteout conditions with a caged gyro.