Fatal aircraft collision with power tower during crop spraying mission

2 fatalities • Krasnogvardeyets, Russia • Flight

A crop spraying operation in Krasnogvardeyets resulted in the deaths of both crew members after an aircraft struck a power line structure.

What happened

During a local agricultural mission involving crop spraying, an aircraft departed from Krasnogvardeyets at 06:58 local time. While performing the mission, the flight crew maintained an altitude of approximately 50 meters, which was below the established minimum safety altitude for that specific region.

As the aircraft was executing a right-hand turn with a 30-degree bank angle, the crew identified a power line in their path. In an attempt to avoid the obstacle, an evasive maneuver was initiated; however, during this process, the aircraft descended into the concrete base of a power tower. The accident resulted in two fatalities, as both the copilot and the captain succumbed to their injuries.

Findings

Investigations into the crash concluded that the crew was operating at an unsafe altitude during the mission. Furthermore, it was determined that distraction played a critical role in the sequence of events, as the decision to maneuver away from the power line was made too late to prevent the impact. Testing confirmed that no alcohol was present in the pilots' systems at the time of the accident.

Probable cause

The crew's low-altitude flight and distraction led to a delayed evasive response when encountering power lines.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1982-05-29 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Krasnogvardeyets, Russia?

A crop spraying operation in Krasnogvardeyets resulted in the deaths of both crew members after an aircraft struck a power line structure.

Were there any fatalities in the 1982-05-29 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 1982-05-29 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-02550, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Krasnogvardeyets, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew's low-altitude flight and distraction led to a delayed evasive response when encountering power lines.

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