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8 fatalities

Amurzet to Khabarovsk Flight: Midair Weather Deterioration and Wooded-Area Crash (CCCP-07741)

Bidzhan, RussiaFlight

On May 2, 1983, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-07741) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Bidzhan, Russia in flight. 8 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was the consequence of the following: the crew decided to take off while the visibility was below minimums; the crew decided to take off while the VHF radio communication was unserviceable; the crew failed to inform ATC about the deterioration of… 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 flight from Amurzet to Khabarovsk crashed in a wooded area 15 km north of Bidzhan after weather deteriorated. Eight occupants died and five were injured.

Departure and Crew Decision to Fly Marginal Weather Conditions The aircraft departed Amurzet at 1414LT on a flight to Khabarovsk with an intermediate stop in Birobidzhan, carrying 11 passengers and a crew of two. Weather conditions were considered marginal, with visibility reduced to 5 km due to rain showers. The crew decided to take off despite the VHF radio communication system being unserviceable. The source does not provide the aircraft type, registration, operator, or exact crash date, so no such details are stated. ## In-Flight Deterioration and Impact About half an hour into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of 400 meters, weather conditions deteriorated with limited visibility due to mixed rain and snow. The aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located 15 km north of Bidzhan, bursting into flames. The copilot and four passengers were critically injured, while eight other occupants were killed. ## Official Findings The official investigation identified multiple crew actions and omissions as consequences of the accident: taking off while visibility was below minimums; taking off while VHF radio communication was unserviceable; failing to inform ATC about the deterioration of weather conditions; failing to return when weather deteriorated and continuing into such conditions; and modifying the route without ATC clearance.

Probable cause

The accident was the consequence of the following: the crew decided to take off while the visibility was below minimums; the crew decided to take off while the VHF radio communication was unserviceable; the crew failed to inform ATC about the deterioration of the weather conditions; when weather conditions deteriorated, the crew failed to return and continued the flight into such conditions; and the crew modified its route without ATC clearance.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2 May 1983 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Bidzhan, Russia?

A flight from Amurzet to Khabarovsk crashed in a wooded area 15 km north of Bidzhan after weather deteriorated. Eight occupants died and five were injured.

Were there any fatalities in the 2 May 1983 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 8 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2 May 1983 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-07741, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Bidzhan, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was the consequence of the following: the crew decided to take off while the visibility was below minimums; the crew decided to take off while the VHF radio communication was unserviceable; the crew failed to inform ATC about the deterioration of the weather conditions; when weather conditions…

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