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3 fatalities

Accidental Cabin Door Opening Leads to Stall and Crash During Initial Climb (CCCP-32322)

Lensk, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On October 27, 1979, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-32322) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Lensk, Russia during takeoff. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The wrong reaction of two passengers who decided to unfasten their seatbelt to close the cabin door, causing the CofG to be out of aft limit. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

During initial climb at 15-20 meters, the rear cabin door opened. Two passengers unbuckled to close it, shifting the center of gravity 37% past the rear limit. The aircraft stalled at 60-65 km/h and crashed near the runway. Two passengers died; 10 others injured; the copilot later died from injuries.

Incident Overview

During the initial climb phase, after reaching a height of approximately 15 to 20 meters, the rear cabin door of the aircraft opened accidentally. In response, two passengers unfastened their seatbelts to close the door. This movement within the cabin resulted in a significant shift of the aircraft's center of gravity (CofG), moving it past the aft limit by 37 percent.

Stall and Crash

The aircraft subsequently reached a supercritical angle of attack. At a speed of 60 to 65 km/h, it stalled and entered a descent, crashing in a near flat attitude near the runway. The rate of descent at impact was estimated to be between six and eight meters per second.

Occupants and Injuries

The accident resulted in two passenger fatalities. Ten other occupants sustained injuries. The copilot died from his injuries two days after the accident.

Probable Cause

According to the official findings, the probable cause of the accident was the wrong reaction of the two passengers, who decided to unfasten their seatbelts to close the cabin door, thereby causing the center of gravity to be out of the aft limit.

Loss of control in flight

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Oct 1979 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Lensk, Russia?

During initial climb at 15-20 meters, the rear cabin door opened. Two passengers unbuckled to close it, shifting the center of gravity 37% past the rear limit. The aircraft stalled at 60-65 km/h and crashed near the runway. Two passengers died; 10 others injured; the copilot later died from injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 27 Oct 1979 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Oct 1979 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-32322, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Lensk, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The wrong reaction of two passengers who decided to unfasten their seatbelt to close the cabin door, causing the CofG to be out of aft limit.

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