Fatal aircraft crash during crop-spraying mission in Uzbekistan

2 fatalities • Sirdarya, Uzbekistan • Flight

An unauthorized low-altitude flight involving an intoxicated pilot resulted in a fatal aircraft stall and subsequent fire, claiming both crew members.

What happened

On a mission intended for agricultural support, an aircraft was involved in a fatal accident near the Syrdarya region of Uzbekistan. The flight was part of a crop-spraying operation conducted for the "40 let Tadzhikistana" state farm, based in the Zafarabad district of Tajikistan. The aircraft had departed from an airstrip situated approximately 12 km southwest of Ursatyevska.

During the mission, the captain initiated an unauthorized flight path accompanied by an aircraft mechanic. While performing an unapproved maneuver at a low altitude, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of lift and stalled. The impact with the ground occurred in an open field, immediately following which the wreckage caught fire. There were no survivors from the incident; both the pilot and the mechanic were killed upon impact.

Findings

Investigations into the crash revealed that the primary contributing factor was the impaired state of the flight crew. The captain was operating the aircraft while intoxicated, which directly led to the execution of unauthorized maneuvers and the subsequent aerodynamic stall that caused the crash.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1966-12-18 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Sirdarya, Uzbekistan?

An unauthorized low-altitude flight involving an intoxicated pilot resulted in a fatal aircraft stall and subsequent fire, claiming both crew members.

Were there any fatalities in the 1966-12-18 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1966-12-18 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-46601, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Sirdarya, Uzbekistan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Intoxicated pilot.

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