Accident Details
On a crop spraying mission for the sovkhoz of 'Shlyakh Ilitch', a crew departed Yablunivka at 1258 local time. Seven minutes later, while cruising at a height of 30 to 70 meters, the crew initiated a right turn. The aircraft then went out of control, plunged into the earth, and crashed at a speed of 226 km/h in an open field located 5 km southeast of Yablunivka. The aircraft did not catch fire but was destroyed upon impact. Both pilots were killed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined that the exact cause of the accident could not be established with certainty. However, it is believed that the crew lost control of the airplane after the control column became jammed. This occurred because a first-aid kit, stored in a metallic cylinder box below the copilot seat, got stuck between the steering column and the seat.