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Crop-Spraying Aircraft Collides with Telephone Pole in Turkmenistan (CCCP-70212)

Tashauz, TurkmenistanFlight

On September 15, 1973, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-70212) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Tashauz, Turkmenistan in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew failed to see and avoid the telegraph pole while flying against the sun. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine airplane on a crop-spraying flight struck a telephone pole at 4 meters height while flying against the low morning sun, crashed upside down, and caught fire. The captain was seriously injured and the copilot was killed.

Accident

A single-engine airplane conducting a crop-spraying operation for the sovkhoz (state farm) "40 let Turkmenskoi SSR" collided with a telephone pole at a height of 4 meters. The collision occurred while the aircraft was flying against the low morning sun. The telephone pole was located near the villages of Kommunizm and Udarnik, northwest of Tashauz.

Aftermath

After striking the pole, the airplane crashed approximately 120 meters further on. It came to rest inverted and subsequently caught fire, burning completely. The captain suffered serious injuries, while the copilot was killed.

Investigation

Officials determined the probable cause of the accident. The crew failed to see and avoid the telegraph pole while flying against the sun.

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 15 Sept 1973 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Tashauz, Turkmenistan?

A single-engine airplane on a crop-spraying flight struck a telephone pole at 4 meters height while flying against the low morning sun, crashed upside down, and caught fire. The captain was seriously injured and the copilot was killed.

Were there any fatalities in the 15 Sept 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 15 Sept 1973 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-70212, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Tashauz, Turkmenistan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew failed to see and avoid the telegraph pole while flying against the sun.

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