Mystery Crashed Plane?
Monday, 27th October 2008 by James Turnbull
English Russia recently published a report on a "crashed" plane in the Russian forest near St. Petersburg. The plane in question is an AN-8 light military transport aircraft of a type which was used by the Soviets up until the 1970s.
However on closer examination of the satellite shot, as well as the ground level pictures posted to English Russia, it looks that this plane is highly unlikely to have crashed!
Whilst it is sitting at the end of a paved clearing (which could maybe be a very short runway), the aircraft is facing the wrong direction to have simply overshot an attempted landing. Furthermore, the lack of damage to the exterior suggests it probably didn't come down in the forest, as the trees would have torn at the wings.
Which leaves us with the question of who put this plane here, and why?
My guess is that the airplane was towed to its present location many years ago. No idea why, however. It’s not deep in the forest as the English Russia site claims, but just a short distance off a roadway. The trees behind the airplane, which now stand between it and the roadway, grew up after the airplane was towed into place. They don’t seem to be all that large in a couple of the ground-level shots.
Maybe not crashed, but emergency landed, and never repaired? But kept on a runway to keep the “in service” numbers up.
Dunno though, doesn’t look like any semblance of runway beneath the plane compared to the still-exposed section.
I was going to suggest that it had been parked on an airport that was later abandoned and the other parts built over. As Peter remarked, the trees (both in front of as well as) behind the plane look somewhat smaller than the surrounding forest. BUT with a working airport only a mile or so to the south that seems unlikely.
Not being a pilot myself, I would still say with some confidence that you wouldn’t be able to crash or emergency land in that place and keep the plane completely intact as it is.
According to the Encyclopedia of Saint Petersburg, Osinovaya Roshcha has been a private park, and then accomodated a military unit since the 1930s. There is no mention if or when the unit has left, but there is now residential development going on. Since the plane has no damages whatsoever and there is no way to land it in that way, I’d guess at a ground-excercise plane for some kind of training. It is also interesting to note that while the plane is relatively shabby, the propeller wings are shiny and clean.
I would agree with the training aspect. Could be used for Law Enforcement/Military training for hostage rescue etc. Maybe just a retired plane towed there, and used occationally.
The plane is located on the grounds of an active military base, that’s why it’s relatively intact.
Further about the issue:
http://englishrussia.com/?p=2115#more-2115