No fatalities

Spraying Aircraft Strikes Treetops in Fog, Crew Uninjured (UR-70289)

Jindřichovice pod Smrkem, Czech RepublicFlight

On October 8, 1996, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration UR-70289) operated by Olympia - Frank was involved in an aviation accident near Jindřichovice pod Smrkem, Czech Republic in flight. No fatalities were reported. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A rabies vaccine spraying aircraft struck treetops and crashed in hilly terrain near the Polish-Czech border after encountering fog. All four occupants escaped uninjured.

Incident Overview

An aircraft conducting a rabies vaccine spraying mission in southern Poland, near the Czech border, was involved in an accident after encountering deteriorating weather conditions. While cruising at an altitude of 100 metres, the crew faced reduced visibility due to fog. They responded by increasing engine power to gain altitude, but the aircraft subsequently struck tree tops and crashed in hilly terrain.

Occupant Outcome and Damage

All four occupants exited the aircraft without injury. The aircraft itself sustained damage beyond repair. After leaving the cabin, the occupants realized that they had crossed into the Czech Republic during the accident sequence, coming to rest a few hundred metres from the Polish border.

Circumstances

The mission was intended for rabies vaccine spraying in the southern region of Poland. The flight was being conducted at low altitude when the fog developed. The decision to climb and increase power led to the collision with treetops. The exact sequence of events from the power increase to the crash is not detailed. The aircraft ended up in hilly terrain on the Czech side of the border.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 8 Oct 1996 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Jindřichovice pod Smrkem, Czech Republic?

A rabies vaccine spraying aircraft struck treetops and crashed in hilly terrain near the Polish-Czech border after encountering fog. All four occupants escaped uninjured.

Were there any fatalities in the 8 Oct 1996 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 8 Oct 1996 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration UR-70289, operated by Olympia - Frank, at Jindřichovice pod Smrkem, Czech Republic.