An-2 crash in Sechenovo

The An-2 crash in Sechenovo was an aviation accident that occurred on Monday 1 May 1989 in the village of Sechenovo (Gorky Oblast). An An-2R aircraft of the Gorky Combined Aviation Detachment of the Aeroflot enterprise was performing a propaganda flight on the route Sechenovo — Sechenovo, but shortly after takeoff the airliner clipped trees, after which it fell to the ground and was completely destroyed. All 5 people on board were killed — 3 passengers and 2 crew members.

Crash

On 1 May 1989 An-2R tail number USSR-70225 departs from Sechenovo to perform a propaganda flight over the village square, during which it was scattering leaflets during the May Day celebrations. Also on board were an aircraft technician and two tractor drivers whom the crew had taken for a ride. The flight itself was performed at the request of the local authorities, and the takeoff was made from an operational site for agricultural aviation work. The crew had no flight plan and had not undergone the appropriate preparation.

The pilots made the first pass over the square where the demonstration was taking place. However, after it the crew thought that the strong gusty wind was blowing the leaflets to the side, so they decided to descend to a lower height. As a result, on the second pass the An-2 descended to a very low height. The crew then began a steep turn with a bank of 45°, when, in the gusty wind, the aircraft struck the tops of trees and crashed into the ground, after which it broke up and burned. Both pilots and the three passengers on board were killed. A wooden kiosk standing near the crash site also burned down. No one on the ground was killed.