Crop-spraying aircraft crash near Aloja

1 fatality • Aloja, Latvia • Landing (descent or approach)

A crop-spraying aircraft crashed in a field north of an airstrip near Aloja during an unauthorized night flight, resulting in one fatality.

What happened

Following the completion of agricultural spraying operations in the vicinity of Aloja, the flight crew proceeded to continue flying within the area after sunset without obtaining the necessary flight permissions. During the return leg toward the airstrip, the pilot-in-command lost control of the aircraft, which experienced a nose-down pitch of approximately 10 to 15 degrees.

The plane subsequently impacted a field situated roughly 3 km north of the landing strip. Search teams discovered the wreckage the following morning. The accident resulted in one fatality and two injuries. The impact caused the total destruction of the aircraft.

Findings

Investigations into the crash determined that the primary factor was the pilot's failure to maintain the minimum required approach altitude during the flight.

Probable cause

The pilot failed to adhere to the prescribed minimum altitude for the approach.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1971-11-29 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Aloja, Latvia?

A crop-spraying aircraft crashed in a field north of an airstrip near Aloja during an unauthorized night flight, resulting in one fatality.

Were there any fatalities in the 1971-11-29 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1971-11-29 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-32207, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Aloja, Latvia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot failed to adhere to the prescribed minimum altitude for the approach.

Loading the flight search…