Fatal crop spraying accident near Kichma

2 fatalities • Kichma, Russia • Flight

A crop spraying operation in the Kirov region resulted in a fatal aircraft crash after the pilot attempted an aggressive maneuver.

What happened

During a scheduled agricultural mission in the Sovyetsk district of the Kroll region, specifically near Kichma, an aircraft was performing low-altitude crop spraying. While operating at an altitude between 50 and 60 meters, the pilot-in-command attempted a steep turn in response to a reduction in airspeed. This maneuver caused the aircraft to enter a stall, leading to a crash in an open field situated approximately 7 km northwest of Kichma. Following the impact, a fire broke out, resulting in the total destruction of the plane and two fatalities.

Findings

Investigations into the accident determined that the loss of control was directly linked to the pilot's decision to execute a sharp turn. This action forced the aircraft into a super critical flight attitude characterized by an excessive angle of attack. The investigation also identified inadequate flight planning and a subsequent lack of effective flight control as significant contributing factors to the crash.

Probable cause

The pilot-in-command induced an aerodynamic stall by performing an aggressive turn that resulted in an excessive angle of attack.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1974-05-12 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Kichma, Russia?

A crop spraying operation in the Kirov region resulted in a fatal aircraft crash after the pilot attempted an aggressive maneuver.

Were there any fatalities in the 1974-05-12 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1974-05-12 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-07412, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Kichma, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot-in-command induced an aerodynamic stall by performing an aggressive turn that resulted in an excessive angle of attack.

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