Accident Details
On the final mission of the day, a crop-dusting aircraft operated on behalf of the sovkhoz of Koptevsky took off after completing several spraying missions. Shortly after departure, the pilot-in-command executed a sharp left turn. The aircraft banked left to an angle of 60 degrees, exceeding the typical 30-degree limit. It then stalled and crashed in flames in an open field located 4 kilometers northwest of Koptevka. The copilot was killed instantly, while the captain sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire. The captain died from his injuries seven days later.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was hazardous maneuvers after takeoff by the pilot-in-command, who completed a turn exceeding the tolerated 30-degree bank. Fatigue was considered a contributing factor, as was the fact that the copilot was intoxicated, with a blood alcohol level of 0.9‰.
Investigation Findings
Investigators determined that the pilot-in-command's decision to perform an excessively steep turn led to a loss of control and subsequent stall. The copilot's impairment due to alcohol may have prevented effective intervention. No other factors were identified.