Fatal aircraft crash near Karnaukhovskiy

3 fatalities • Karnaukhovskiy, Russia • Flight

A private flight involving three occupants ended in a fatal crash in an open field north of Karnaukhovskiy, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

On the afternoon of the accident, an aircraft intended for agricultural spraying operations for the 'Bolshevik' kolkhoz in Tsimlyansky was instead used for a non-scheduled flight. The pilot, accompanied by two passengers, conducted several takeoff and landing maneuvers within the Karnaukhovskiy region.

While operating at a very low altitude, the aircraft became uncontrollable and struck an open field approximately 7 km north of Karnaukhovskiy. The impact was followed by a fire that completely destroyed the plane. There were three fatalities among the occupants.

Findings

Investigations into the accident highlighted several critical factors. The captain chose to conduct a private flight with two unauthorized passengers. It was noted that the pilot was under the influence of alcohol during the operation. Additionally, investigators could not definitively determine why the aircraft lost control, though they did not rule out the possibility that one of the passengers had gained access to the controls during the flight.

Probable cause

The unauthorized private flight was conducted by an intoxicated pilot, with the potential for passenger interference with flight controls.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1978-05-07 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Karnaukhovskiy, Russia?

A private flight involving three occupants ended in a fatal crash in an open field north of Karnaukhovskiy, resulting in no survivors.

Were there any fatalities in the 1978-05-07 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 1978-05-07 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-70493, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Karnaukhovskiy, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The unauthorized private flight was conducted by an intoxicated pilot, with the potential for passenger interference with flight controls.

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