Polikarpov PR-5 accident at Pronsk, Russia, 7 Dec 1942 (CCCP-L3327)

Accident narrative

The airplane departed Ryazan at 1000LT on a flight to Nikolayevsk, carrying four army officers from the 7th regiment and one pilot. En route, weather conditions deteriorated with limited visibility due to snow falls. To maintain a visual contact with the ground, the pilot descended to a height of 25-30 metres but realized he could not make it. He decided to return to Ryazan and initiated a left turn when the left wing struck the ground, causing the airplane to crashed about 500 metres north of Pronsk. A passenger was injured while four other occupants were killed.

Probable cause (official findings): The accident was the consequence of the following factors: - A quick deterioration of the weather conditions, - An incorrect weather forecast, - An error of the pilot who made a turn at low altitude in a steep bank angle in gusty winds and poor visibility.