Fatal Single-Engine Aircraft Crash Near Degtyarnovo (CCCP-35088)

Incident Overview and Flight Details On the day of the accident, the crew completed crop spraying missions for the sovkhoz of 'Garsky' in the Sokolsky region. At 1713 local time, the single-engine aircraft departed Sokolsky on a ferry flight to Ivanovo. The aircraft was carrying three crew members and one unauthorized passenger. During the flight, while cruising at a relatively low altitude, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in flames into a wooded area located 2 km northwest of Degtyarnovo. The burnt wreckage was discovered in the evening, and all four occupants were killed. The occupants included both pilots, the mechanic, and the passenger. ## Official Findings and Probable Cause The official investigation determined that all four occupants were intoxicated at the time of the accident. The crew had decided to embark the passenger at Sokolsky without prior permission, and all individuals had consumed alcohol throughout the day and prior to departure. The investigation concluded that a lack of discipline, high blood alcohol levels, and total distraction caused the pilot to lose control of the aircraft. The reported alcohol levels were 5.4‰ for the captain, 2‰ for the copilot, 4.4‰ for the mechanic, and 2.5‰ for the passenger.