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14 fatalities

AN-2 Crash at Kherson Airport (CCCP-01526)

Kherson, UkraineLanding (descent or approach)

On August 11, 1972, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-01526) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Kherson, Ukraine during landing or approach. 14 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of control on short final due to the presence of wake turbulences caused by an army helicopter (type Mil Mi-6) that passed through the approach path 45 seconds prior to the AN-2. 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 AN-2 crashed short of Kherson Airport after encountering wake turbulence from a Mil Mi-6 helicopter. The accident killed 14 people and injured five.

Accident Overview and Flight Details A single-engine AN-2 aircraft departed Novooleksiivka Airport at 1740 local time on scheduled flight D-44 to Kherson. The aircraft was carrying 17 passengers, consisting of 11 adults and 6 children, along with two pilots. During the descent to Kherson Airport, air traffic control informed the crew of Army helicopter movements in the vicinity of the airport's east side. On short final, at a height of 20 to 30 meters, the aircraft banked right to an angle of 70 degrees before rolling left and right. The aircraft became out of control, stalled, and crashed in flames 400 meters short of runway 02 threshold. Both pilots and 12 passengers were killed, while five other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Probable cause

Loss of control on short final due to the presence of wake turbulences caused by an army helicopter (type Mil Mi-6) that passed through the approach path 45 seconds prior to the AN-2. It was determined that ATC clearance failed to respect the minimum safe distance and minimum safe time between both movements (minimum safe separation). It was also reported that there were two too many passengers on board and that some of them failed to wear their seatbelt.
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Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 11 Aug 1972 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Kherson, Ukraine?

An AN-2 crashed short of Kherson Airport after encountering wake turbulence from a Mil Mi-6 helicopter. The accident killed 14 people and injured five.

Were there any fatalities in the 11 Aug 1972 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 14 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 11 Aug 1972 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-01526, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Kherson, Ukraine.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Loss of control on short final due to the presence of wake turbulences caused by an army helicopter (type Mil Mi-6) that passed through the approach path 45 seconds prior to the AN-2. It was determined that ATC clearance failed to respect the minimum safe distance and minimum safe time between both movements (minimum…

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