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2 fatalities

Aviation Accident: Loss of Control During Initial Climb from Bugulma (CCCP-70219)

Bugulma, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On November 11, 1979, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-70219) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Bugulma, Russia during takeoff. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of control during initial climb occurred after the pilot got distracted. For any reason, he adopted a wrong takeoff configuration and failed to take appropriate actions to maintain a positive rate of climb and a sufficient speed. 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 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Bugulma due to pilot distraction and an incorrect takeoff configuration, resulting in two fatalities and 15 injuries.

Incident Overview and Departure Details The flight was originally scheduled to depart from Bugulma at 0805 local time. However, the departure was delayed to 0900 local time due to poor weather conditions along the route. Shortly before the actual takeoff at 0950 local time, three additional passengers boarded the aircraft. This brought the total number of passengers to 15, which exceeded the maximum allowed capacity of 12. The aircraft lifted off and began its initial climb. One minute after liftoff, at an altitude of 15 meters, the aircraft's speed dropped to 60 km/h. It then veered to the left, stalled, and crashed. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were considered normal, and the total weight and center of gravity of the aircraft were within limits.

Probable cause

The loss of control during initial climb occurred after the pilot got distracted. For any reason, he adopted a wrong takeoff configuration and failed to take appropriate actions to maintain a positive rate of climb and a sufficient speed.
Loss of control in flight

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Nov 1979 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Bugulma, Russia?

An aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Bugulma due to pilot distraction and an incorrect takeoff configuration, resulting in two fatalities and 15 injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Nov 1979 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Nov 1979 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-70219, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Bugulma, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The loss of control during initial climb occurred after the pilot got distracted. For any reason, he adopted a wrong takeoff configuration and failed to take appropriate actions to maintain a positive rate of climb and a sufficient speed.

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