Aircraft collision with mountain near Mukachevo

5 fatalities • Mukachevo, Ukraine • Landing (descent or approach)

A flight traveling from Uzhgorod to Bushtyna crashed into a mountainside during an approach to Mukachevo, resulting in five fatalities.

What happened

During a flight segment between Uzhgorod and Irshava, the crew of an aircraft operating on a route toward Bushtyna elected to bypass Mukachevo Airport without performing a landing. Air traffic control granted permission for this maneuver.

As the aircraft approached the vicinity of Mukachevo, meteorological conditions deteriorated significantly, characterized by heavy rainfall and a lowered cloud ceiling. During this period, the flight path drifted to the left, causing the aircraft to penetrate the cloud layer. While flying at an altitude of 420 meters, the plane collided with a mountain slope situated at 566 meters, approximately 6.4 km north of Mukachevo. The accident resulted in 5 fatalities, including both pilots and all three passengers on board.

Findings

Investigations determined that the crew was attempting to operate under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) despite being in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), which led to the impact with terrain.

Probable cause

The flight crew attempted to maintain visual flight rules while flying in instrument meteorological conditions, leading to a deviation from the flight path and subsequent mountain impact.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1969-11-25 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Mukachevo, Ukraine?

A flight traveling from Uzhgorod to Bushtyna crashed into a mountainside during an approach to Mukachevo, resulting in five fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 1969-11-25 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 5 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1969-11-25 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-44995, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Mukachevo, Ukraine.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The flight crew attempted to maintain visual flight rules while flying in instrument meteorological conditions, leading to a deviation from the flight path and subsequent mountain impact.

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