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2 fatalities

Unauthorized Pleasure Flight Ends in Crash Near Chal (CCCP-32183)

Chal, RussiaFlight

On August 23, 1974, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-32183) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Chal, Russia in flight. 2 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew decided to embark children and to perform a local pleasure flight without prior permission and against the published procedures. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 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

A local pleasure flight carrying five children ended in a crash after the crew lost altitude due to distraction. Two children were killed, five others injured, and the aircraft was destroyed.

Incident Overview and Casualties On the day of the incident, the crew had completed 27 flights for the Tupishinsky sovkhoz. In the late afternoon, the crew decided to carry out a local pleasure flight with five children, aged 9 to 16, on board. Three of the children were seated in the cabin, while two were in the cockpit. After takeoff, the aircraft continued at an altitude of 40 meters. However, the crew became distracted by the children and did not notice that the aircraft was losing altitude. The captain observed trees ahead and applied full power, but the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area 1.5 km from the village of Chal. Two children were killed in the accident, and five other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause

The crew decided to embark children and to perform a local pleasure flight without prior permission and against the published procedures. En route, as they were devolved by the presence of the children, both pilots failed to pay attention to the flight and failed to see and avoids high obstructions (trees).
Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Aug 1974 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Chal, Russia?

A local pleasure flight carrying five children ended in a crash after the crew lost altitude due to distraction. Two children were killed, five others injured, and the aircraft was destroyed.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Aug 1974 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 23 Aug 1974 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-32183, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Chal, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew decided to embark children and to perform a local pleasure flight without prior permission and against the published procedures. En route, as they were devolved by the presence of the children, both pilots failed to pay attention to the flight and failed to see and avoids high obstructions (trees).

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