No fatalities

Emergency landing near Kaunas following cockpit fire (CCCP-35637)

Kaunas, LithuaniaFlight

On May 4, 1983, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-35637) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Kaunas, Lithuania in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the in-flight fire remains undetermined. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-06-13Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft was forced to perform an emergency crash landing in a field near Kaunas after a fire broke out within the cockpit.

What happened

During a flight near Kaunas, an unidentified aircraft experienced a sudden and intense fire located within the cockpit area. The emergence of the flames during the flight necessitated an immediate emergency response from the crew. Unable to maintain controlled flight due to the developing situation, the pilot attempted to land the plane away from populated areas.

The aircraft ultimately completed a crash landing in an open field situated in the vicinity of Kaunas. While the specific details regarding the onset of the fire remain under investigation, the impact occurred during the flight phase following the ignition of the blaze.

Findings

At this stage of the investigation, the precise origin and cause of the cockpit fire are unknown. Investigators have not yet determined what triggered the combustion within the flight deck.

Probable cause

The cause of the in-flight fire remains undetermined.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 4 May 1983 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Kaunas, Lithuania?

An aircraft was forced to perform an emergency crash landing in a field near Kaunas after a fire broke out within the cockpit.

Were there any fatalities in the 4 May 1983 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 4 May 1983 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-35637, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Kaunas, Lithuania.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The cause of the in-flight fire remains undetermined.