Polikarpov Po-2 | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The pilot, sole on board, was completing a crop spraying mission on cotton field in the area of Zhdanovsky. In unknown circumstances, he lost control of the airplane that nosed down and crashed in a field. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot was inexperienced, was not familiar with the area and was completing the mission in a solo configuration, in violation of the published procedures.

Crash of a Polikarpov SP near Imişli: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1939

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov Po-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-L2221

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

10055

YOM:

1937

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While on mail flight within Azerbaijan, the pilot encountered poor weather conditions. Flying at an altitude of 240 metres in poor visibility, he lost control of the airplane that dove into the ground and crashed 6 km north of Imişli. The pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot was inexperience in such flight conditions. Probable spatial disorientation.

Crash of a Polikarpov SP in Ust-Bolsheretsk: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 30, 1939 at 1632 LT

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov Po-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-L2295

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky – Ust-Bolsheretsk

MSN:

10189

YOM:

1937

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

313

Circumstances:

During the day, the pilot already performed twice the flight between Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and Ust-Bolsheretsk. After passing over Apacha, weather conditions deteriorated and the visibility dropped to zero due to heavy snow falls. Nevertheless, the pilot attempted to land at Ust-Bolsheretsk and continued the approach when he lost control of the airplane that crashed six km east of the destination airfield. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

The decision of the pilot to initiate an approach in below-minima weather conditions. Lack of discipline on part of the pilot and his failure to return in time were considered as contributing factors.

Crash of a Polikarpov AP near Shulakkurgan: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1938 at 1615 LT

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov Po-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-A701

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Ferry

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Shulakkurgan - Shymkent

MSN:

7877

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

1708

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Shymkent on a charter flight to Shulakkurgan with two passengers and one pilot on board. A passenger deplaned in Shayan and the second one in Shulakkurgan. In the afternoon, the pilot was flying back ferry to Shymkent. While cruising 45 km south of Shulakkurgan, weather conditions worsened. The airplane entered clouds and the pilot decided to return so he initiated a turn to the right when the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain and crashed. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

The following factors were identified:
- Lack of discipline on part of the pilot by failing to obey the order given to him upon departure,
- Violation of the Flight Manual on part of the pilot,
- The release of an inexperienced pilot on a charter flight in bad weather,
- The weather bulletin was valid for three hours and thus was not accurate anymore at the time of the accident.

Crash of a Polikarpov AP in Naurskaya: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1938 at 1620 LT

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov Po-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-A988

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Naurskaya - Naurskaya

MSN:

12171

YOM:

1938

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

At the end of the afternoon, before returning to Grozny, the pilot invited three farmers for a tour. After takeoff, at a height of 35 metres, the pilot initiated a sharp turn to the left when the airplane stalled and crashed 25 metres from the railway station, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The airplane stalled during a sharp turn to the left due to an insufficient speed. The pilot was not allowed to perform such private flight.

Crash of a Polikarpov AP in Salyan: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 5, 1938 at 1130 LT

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov Po-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-A774

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Ambulance

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Ajikabul - Salyan

MSN:

7950

YOM:

1936

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

929

Aircraft flight cycles:

2819

Circumstances:

At 0400LT, the pilot completed several flights in the area of Ajikabul to perform spraying missions over cotton fields. He allowed two passengers to embark and made some tours before having lunch during which he has drunk vodka. Then, he took off again and while making a low pass, a horse was afraid and hurt a young boy aged 13-14. After landing, the pilot was informed of this and decided to transfer the boy to an hospital in Salyan. On approach to Salyan, the airplane was not properly aligned with the runway so the pilot initiated a go around when the aircraft stalled and crashed. The boy escaped unhurt, the accompanying person was slightly injured and the pilot was seriously wounded. He died from injuries sustained at the end of the afternoon.

Probable cause:

The pilot lost control of the airplane while initiating a go around procedure because the airplane' speed was insufficient.

Crash of a Polikarpov U-2 in Bataysk: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 1938 at 0540 LT

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov Po-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-Sh924

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Bataysk - Bataysk

MSN:

5300

YOM:

1933

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

1422

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Bataysk on a local training mission with two pilots on board. A second U-2 registered CCCP-L956 took off shortly earlier with also two pilots on board. Sh924 was following L956 when the first aircraft slowed at a speed of 80-85 km/h so the second aircraft could approach. At a height of about 40 metres, the pilot of L956 initiated a turn when both airplanes collided and crashed in a field located 1,5 km from the airport. Two pilots survived and two others were killed.

Probable cause:

Poor organization of the training mission on part of the instructors at Bataysk Airport. Also the crew precipitated the mission and failed to maintain a safe distance while flying in formation.

Crash of a Polikarpov U-2 in Bataysk: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 1938 at 0540 LT

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov Po-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-L956

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Bataysk - Bataysk

MSN:

7143

YOM:

1935

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

1003

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Bataysk on a local training mission with two pilots on board. A second U-2 registered CCCP-Sh924 took off shortly later with also two pilots on board. Sh924 was following L956 when the first aircraft slowed at a speed of 80-85 km/h so the second aircraft could approach. At a height of about 40 metres, the pilot of L956 initiated a turn when both airplanes collided and crashed in a field located 1,5 km from the airport. Two pilots survived and two others were killed.

Probable cause:

Poor organization of the training mission on part of the instructors at Bataysk Airport. Also the crew precipitated the mission and failed to maintain a safe distance while flying in formation.

Crash of a Polikarpov SP on Mt Yafush: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1938 at 1400 LT

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov Po-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-A626

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Postal (mail)

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Tavildara – Jirgatal

MSN:

7747

YOM:

1936

Location:

Mt Yafush

Districts of Republican Subordination

Country:

Tajikistan

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

726

Aircraft flight cycles:

960

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Tavildara at 1347LT on a mail flight to Jirgatal with one pilot and a load of 110 kg of mail on board. After departure, the pilot deviated from the prescribed route and entered a narrow valley. After 10 km, he decided to return but while making a sharp turn to the left at a height of 25-30 metres, the airplane stalled and crashed on the slope of Mt Yafush. the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

The pilot failed to follow the published procedures and entered a narrow valley instead following the normal route to Jirgatal.

Crash of a Polikarpov AP in Urganch

Date & Time: Jun 24, 1938

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov Po-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-A512

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

5926

YOM:

1934

Location:

Urganch

Xorazm Province (Xorazm viloyati)

Country:

Uzbekistan

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

After takeoff, the pilot elected to make some low passes over the post office. From a height between 50 and 80 metres, he completed several circuits and turns when the aircraft hit the ground and crashed in a garden. The passenger was killed and the pilot was injured.

Probable cause:

Carelessness on part of the pilot who completed hazardous manoeuvres at an insufficient altitude.

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