Fatal stall accident involving Antonov An-2 during agricultural mission

2 fatalities • Forish, Uzbekistan • Flight

An Antonov An-2 crashed following an unauthorized landing and subsequent low-altitude maneuvers, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.

What happened

Following a series of agricultural spraying operations for the Kizil-Kum sovkhoz, the flight crew performed an unsanctioned landing in a nearby field. During this brief stop, the crew interacted with local residents. Upon departing the field, the Antonov An-2 maintained a very low altitude, flying between 5 and 7 meters above the ground. As the aircraft climbed to approximately 70 meters, it reached a critical angle of attack. This led to an aerodynamic stall, causing the plane to pitch at a 70° angle before impacting the ground. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe and two fatalities.

Findings

Investigations into the accident determined that the crew engaged in dangerous maneuvers while flying at low altitudes, which rendered the aircraft uncontrollable. While it was noted that the co-pilot had been consuming alcohol, the captain was not under the influence of any substances at the time of the flight.

Probable cause

The execution of hazardous low-altitude maneuvers led to an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1977-03-18 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Forish, Uzbekistan?

An Antonov An-2 crashed following an unauthorized landing and subsequent low-altitude maneuvers, resulting in the deaths of both crew members.

Were there any fatalities in the 1977-03-18 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 1977-03-18 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-09191, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Forish, Uzbekistan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The execution of hazardous low-altitude maneuvers led to an aerodynamic stall and loss of control.

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