Military Training Flight Ends In Disaster

An Uzbekistan Airways Antonov AN-2 single-engine biplane with 13 Uzbek military personnel and two pilots aboard crashed early Thursday. All died in the accident.

Reports are sketchy, but state-run news reports say the crew lost control of the aircraft while attempting an off-airport emergency landing in deteriorating weather conditions near Tashkent.

Uzbek military officials say the aircraft was contracted from the airline for military training.

According to Russian news service Rio Novosti, the Antonov-designed AN-2 Colt (file photo of type) has been in production for nearly 50 years. Originally commissioned by the former Soviet Union's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Colt saw service with the Soviet Air Force and was sold to at least 26 developing countries.

Reportedly, like many Soviet-era aircraft, the AN-2 is rugged, easy to maintain and simple to operate. It can carry up to 3,300 pounds.

The government has directed a group with members from the Uzbek defense ministry, national security, prosecutor general's office and Uzbek emergency services personnel to investigate and report on the circumstances of the crash.

The Uzbek government has offered its condolences and assistance to the crash victims' families.

FMI: www.uzbekconsulny.org, www.uzairways.com