On August 19, 1998, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration RA-06196) operated by Aeroklub Togliatti was involved in an aviation accident near Lunacharski, Russia in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew misjudged the distance with the water surface and descended too low. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
An airplane on a skydiving mission crashed into the Volga River after descending too low during search and rescue operations. Two skydivers drowned after landing in the river, both pilots were injured.
Overview
A single-engine airplane departed Togliatti for a local skydiving flight with ten skydivers and two pilots aboard. While over the Lunacharski region, all skydivers exited the aircraft. Two of them landed in the Volga River and drowned.
Accident Sequence
After the jumps, the crew decided to participate in search and rescue operations. In an attempt to show the location of the downed skydivers to rescuers, the pilots descended too low over the water. The aircraft struck the water surface and crashed. Both pilots sustained injuries, and the airplane was destroyed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause: the crew misjudged the distance to the water surface and descended too low, leading to the collision.