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Soviet Pilot Hijacks Aircraft from Saldus Airport and Ditches Off Gotland (CCCP-70501)

Visby, SwedenFlight

On May 27, 1987, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-70501) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Visby, Sweden in flight. No fatalities were reported. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A Soviet pilot stole a single-engine aircraft parked at Saldus Airport, Latvia, and attempted to fly to Sweden. He ditched the plane offshore near Gotland Island, swam to shore, and requested political asylum.

Incident Overview and Flight Path A single-engine aircraft was parked at Saldus Airport in Latvia when it was stolen by a Soviet pilot. The pilot's stated objective was to fly to Sweden. He successfully departed Soviet airspace and proceeded toward Gotland Island. During the approach to the island, the aircraft ditched in the water a few dozen meters offshore. The pilot was able to swim to the shore, was rescued, and subsequently requested political asylum. The aircraft was later recovered and transferred to the Gotland Förvarsmuseum. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or exact cause of the ditching.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 May 1987 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Visby, Sweden?

A Soviet pilot stole a single-engine aircraft parked at Saldus Airport, Latvia, and attempted to fly to Sweden. He ditched the plane offshore near Gotland Island, swam to shore, and requested political asylum.

Were there any fatalities in the 27 May 1987 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 May 1987 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-70501, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Visby, Sweden.

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