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3 fatalities

Single-Engine Aircraft Accident Near Dnepropetrovskoye, Tselinograd (CCCP-07708)

Tselinograd, KazakhstanFlight

On June 23, 1981, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-07708) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Tselinograd, Kazakhstan in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that the loss of control was the consequence of downdrafts and unpredictable turbulences from a thunderstorm area approaching the accident zone. A poor flight preparation was considered as a contributing factor. 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

A single-engine aircraft crashed into an open field 3.5 km from Dnepropetrovskoye, Tselinograd, after a spraying mission. All three occupants were killed. The official investigation attributed the loss of control to downdrafts and turbulence from a nearby thunderstorm, with poor

Accident Overview and Flight Details On 2115 local time, the crew departed from Dnepropetrovskoye, a suburb of Tselinograd, to conduct a short flight to a local airport situated 12 km away. This operation followed a spraying mission performed on behalf of the sovkhoz of Dnepropetrovskoye. The aircraft involved was a single-engine airplane, though specific type and registration details are not provided in the source material. The flight was conducted at a speed of 220 km/h and a relatively low altitude when the incident occurred. The aircraft banked left to an angle of 25 degrees before nosing down and crashing into an open field located 3.5 km from the departure point. The impact caused the aircraft to burst into flames, resulting in the deaths of all three occupants on board. No further details regarding the aircraft's specific model, registration, or the exact date of the accident are available in the provided source. The investigation focused on the environmental conditions and operational factors that led to the loss of control during this short local flight.

Probable cause

It was determined that the loss of control was the consequence of downdrafts and unpredictable turbulences from a thunderstorm area approaching the accident zone. A poor flight preparation was considered as a contributing factor.
Weather

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Jun 1981 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Tselinograd, Kazakhstan?

A single-engine aircraft crashed into an open field 3.5 km from Dnepropetrovskoye, Tselinograd, after a spraying mission. All three occupants were killed. The official investigation attributed the loss of control to downdrafts and turbulence from a nearby thunderstorm, with poor

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Jun 1981 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Jun 1981 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-07708, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Tselinograd, Kazakhstan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

It was determined that the loss of control was the consequence of downdrafts and unpredictable turbulences from a thunderstorm area approaching the accident zone. A poor flight preparation was considered as a contributing factor.

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