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Crop Spraying Aircraft Crash in Donetsk Region (CCCP-55798)

Hirnyk, UkraineFlight

On May 20, 1973, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-55798) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Hirnyk, Ukraine in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Error of judgment on part of the pilot-in-command who completed a sharp turn to the right while the aircraft's speed was too low, causing the airplane to stall and to crash. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A crop spraying aircraft crashed in the Donetsk region after the pilot made a sharp right turn at low speed, causing a stall. The pilot was killed, and the second occupant was seriously injured.

Incident Overview and Context The aircraft was operating a crop spraying mission, applying herbicides to a corn field for the state farm 'Gornyak' in the Starobeshevo district of the Donetsk region. During the operation, the aircraft was flying at an altitude of approximately 50 meters when the incident occurred. The crash site was located 3.5 kilometers west of Hirnyk. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire. The pilot was killed in the accident, while the second occupant sustained serious injuries. ## Official Findings The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was an error of judgment by the pilot-in-command. The pilot executed a sharp turn to the right while the aircraft was traveling at a speed that was too low. This maneuver caused the aircraft to stall, resulting in the loss of altitude and the subsequent crash.

Loss of control in flight

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 May 1973 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Hirnyk, Ukraine?

A crop spraying aircraft crashed in the Donetsk region after the pilot made a sharp right turn at low speed, causing a stall. The pilot was killed, and the second occupant was seriously injured.

Were there any fatalities in the 20 May 1973 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 May 1973 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-55798, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Hirnyk, Ukraine.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Error of judgment on part of the pilot-in-command who completed a sharp turn to the right while the aircraft's speed was too low, causing the airplane to stall and to crash.

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