Fatal Crop-Spraying Accident Near Morozov (RA-33675)

Incident Overview and Immediate Sequence of Events A pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, departed from Morozov at 0708 local time to conduct a crop-spraying operation for the Rodnik Farm. Approximately two minutes after takeoff, while flying at a low altitude, the aircraft's undercarriage made contact with a 3-meter-high embankment. This impact caused the airplane to flip over and crash inverted into a drainage ditch. The wreckage was located approximately 4 kilometers south of the village. The aircraft was destroyed in the accident, and the pilot was killed. ## Official Probable Cause and Contributing Factors The official investigation determined that the accident resulted from the main landing gear wheels colliding with the embankment of an irrigation canal. This initial impact destroyed the landing gear structure, leading to a subsequent collision with the water surface of the canal and a nose-over. The investigation identified a combination of factors that contributed to the accident. The primary factor was the loss of the captain's working capability in flight due to acute cardiovascular insufficiency, which developed as a result of a recurrent myocardial infarction against a background of hypertension. The investigation also noted the possible influence of ethyl alcohol in the captain's blood on his health. Additional contributing factors included performing the flight with an incomplete crew. The investigation further noted that the death of the captain may have been facilitated by the absence of seat belts on the crew seats.