3 fatalities

Aircraft Crash in Razdolnoye Kills Three During Spraying Mission (CCCP-31423)

Razdolnoye, KazakhstanFlight

On June 24, 1991, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-31423) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Razdolnoye, Kazakhstan in flight. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors: - The crew was flying against the sun, - The outside air temperature was high, - The aircraft was operated at low height, - A little tail wind component. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft on a spraying mission in Razdolnoye crashed after performing a zoom while flying at low height against the sun. The three occupants—two pilots and an unauthorized passenger—were killed in the ensuing fire.

Accident Details

The aircraft was engaged in a spraying mission in the Razdolnoye area. On board were two pilots and one unauthorized passenger. During the return flight to the airstrip, the crew executed a zoom maneuver while flying at low altitude with the sun ahead. The aircraft subsequently lost altitude, crashed, and burst into flames. All three occupants were killed.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation determined that the accident resulted from a combination of factors. These included the crew flying directly into the sun, high outside air temperature, operation at low height, and the presence of a slight tailwind component.

Probable cause

The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors: - The crew was flying against the sun, - The outside air temperature was high, - The aircraft was operated at low height, - A little tail wind component.