Single-engine aircraft crash near Prokhorkino

4 fatalities • Prokhorkino, Russia • Flight

A single-engine airplane crashed into an icy lake approximately 20 km from Prokhorkino during a flight involving multiple stops, resulting in four fatalities.

What happened

A scheduled service flight departed from Prokhorkino at 16:34 local time, intended for Aleksandrovskoye with planned stops at Novonikolskoye and Nazino. During the initial stage of the flight, roughly eight minutes after departing Prokhorkino, the aircraft experienced a loss of control. The plane subsequently impacted an icy lake situated about 20 km northwest of the departure point. At the time of the impact, the ice thickness was measured at approximately 60 to 70 cm. The crash resulted in four fatalities and the total destruction of the aircraft.

Findings

At the time of the accident, meteorological conditions were poor, characterized by snowfall and cloud cover that reduced visibility to an estimated range of 3 to 5 km. While an official cause was not definitively established, investigators noted that spatial disorientation may have occurred. It is possible that the crew misread the artificial horizon while operating in the low-visibility environment.

Probable cause

The accident may have been caused by spatial disorientation or a misinterpretation of flight instruments during flight in poor visibility.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1981-03-06 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Prokhorkino, Russia?

A single-engine airplane crashed into an icy lake approximately 20 km from Prokhorkino during a flight involving multiple stops, resulting in four fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 1981-03-06 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 4 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1981-03-06 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-35182, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Prokhorkino, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident may have been caused by spatial disorientation or a misinterpretation of flight instruments during flight in poor visibility.

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