2 fatalities

Fatal crash during training return flight near ravine

Glazovo, RussiaFlight

On May 17, 1943, a Polikarpov Po-2 operated by Soviet Air Force - Voyenno-vozdushnye sily CCCP was involved in an aviation accident near Glazovo, Russia in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control due to strong winds and insufficient caution while flying at low altitude over a ravine in gusty conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A twin-pilot aircraft crashed into the ground while returning to base after a training session. The accident occurred at low altitude over a ravine in gusty winds, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.

What happened

The incident involved an aircraft that was completing a training exercise and preparing to return to its home base. During the approach phase, the airplane was traveling from east to west along the northern slope of a ravine approximately 50 metres deep. While flying at a low altitude, the aircraft encountered a strong gust of wind. This sudden change in airflow caused the plane to roll to the right, leading to a loss of control and a subsequent impact with the terrain. Both pilots on board were killed in the crash.

Findings

The official investigation attributed the accident to a loss of control triggered by strong winds. Contributing factors included the decision to fly at low altitude over a ravine while operating in strong, gusty conditions. The findings noted that the crew relied heavily on their extensive experience with difficult flying environments, which may have led to a lack of necessary caution regarding the specific weather hazards present at the time.

Probable cause

Loss of control due to strong winds and insufficient caution while flying at low altitude over a ravine in gusty conditions.