Fatal aircraft crash near Cheboksary during agricultural mission

2 fatalities • Cheboksary, Russia • Flight

A single-engine aircraft crashed into power lines while performing crop spraying operations near the village of Kugesi, resulting in two fatalities.

What happened

During an agricultural mission near the outskirts of Cheboksary, a single-engine aircraft was engaged in spraying a potato field belonging to the 'Novocheboksary' sovkhoz. The incident occurred east of the village of Kugesi while the aircraft was operating at an altitude between 15 and 20 meters.

During this low-level flight, the plane made contact with high-tension power cables. This impact caused the aircraft to veer sharply to the right, eventually crashing approximately 195 meters from the initial point of contact. The collision resulted in a post-crash fire that consumed the wreckage. There were two fatalities among the crew members on board.

Findings

Investigations into the accident determined that the aircraft was being operated at an insufficient height for the environment. The crew failed to identify the presence of the electrical wires in time to perform evasive maneuvers, leading to the collision with power lines.

Probable cause

The flight crew maintained an altitude that was too low to safely clear high-tension wires and failed to detect the cables before impact.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-07-21 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Cheboksary, Russia?

A single-engine aircraft crashed into power lines while performing crop spraying operations near the village of Kugesi, resulting in two fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 1989-07-21 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 1989-07-21 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-31496, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Cheboksary, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The flight crew maintained an altitude that was too low to safely clear high-tension wires and failed to detect the cables before impact.

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