What happened
During a scheduled mission to spray cotton fields for the Leningrad State farm, an An-2 experienced a sudden loss of power. While operating at a low altitude, the aircraft's speed and altitude decreased significantly following the engine failure. The crew attempted to execute an emergency landing; however, the aircraft struck the ground and came to rest in a drainage ditch.
The impact resulted in two injuries among the crew members. The aircraft was completely destroyed during the accident.
Findings
Investigations into the crash revealed that critical maintenance tasks had been identified but not completed. Specifically, it was determined that the number one cylinder valve and the spark plugs required replacement. These necessary repairs, which were scheduled for the day before the incident, were not performed in accordance with established maintenance procedures.