Polikarpov Po-2 accident at Budenovka, Ukraine, 27 May 1941 (CCCP-A1083)

Accident narrative

The pilot, sole on board, was engaged in a crop spraying mission on beets field located near the village of Budenovka. Shortly after takeoff (last flight as the operation started at 0500LT), at a height of 20-25 metres, the pilot initiated a sharp turn to the right. The airplane rolled to an angle of 45° when the pilot reduced the engine power, causing the aircraft to stall and to crash. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause (official findings): Poor piloting techniques on part of the pilot who initiated a sharp turn to the right at an insufficient height (below the minimum height of 50 meters) and reduced power too early.