Polikarpov Po-2 accident at Ekaterinino, Russia, 30 May 1942 (CCCP-S215)
On May 30, 1942, a Polikarpov Po-2 (registration CCCP-S215) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Ekaterinino, Russia in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that the crew made an unauthorized stop at Ekaterinino. At the time of the accident, both pilots and friend were intoxicated after they have consumed pure alcohol. 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.
Probable cause
It was determined that the crew made an unauthorized stop at Ekaterinino. At the time of the accident, both pilots and friend were intoxicated after they have consumed pure alcohol. The pilot decided to make acrobatic manoeuvre and the distance between the airplane and the ground at the end of the looping was insufficient to expect recovery.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The crew (one pilot and one copilot/navigator) departed Efremov on a ferry flight to Kirsanov where the airplane was supposed to follow a maintenance program. En route, the crew made an unauthorized stop at the village of Ekaterinino where the copilot had friends. A first local 5-6-minutes flight was completed by the copilot with a friend on board. A second flight was initiated by the pilot with another friend. After the pilot completed a looping at a height of 250-300 metres, the airplane's altitude was too low and it impacted the ground and crashed in a field. Both occupants were killed.
Probable cause (official findings): It was determined that the crew made an unauthorized stop at Ekaterinino. At the time of the accident, both pilots and friend were intoxicated after they have consumed pure alcohol. The pilot decided to make acrobatic manoeuvre and the distance between the airplane and the ground at the end of the looping was insufficient to expect recovery.