Accident Details
The aircraft was engaged in crop spraying operations for the kolkhoz (collective farm) "Put' Kommunizma" in the Pushkino district of Azerbaijan. On board were two pilots and a local guide. While cruising at an altitude of 40 to 50 meters, the crew observed a flock of birds but could not avoid a collision. Several birds struck the engine, which failed almost immediately. The crew attempted an emergency landing on a road, but the aircraft descended into a cotton field approximately 12 kilometers from Pushkino and caught fire. All three occupants were killed in the accident.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the accident was caused by a loss of control following an in-flight collision with birds. Specifically, the birds struck cylinders numbers 1, 7, 8, and 9, as well as the carburetor air intake. This damage led to immediate engine failure, resulting in a loss of speed and altitude, and ultimately the crash.