Initially, "Mikołaj Kopernik"'s engine 2 was installed on the aircraft SP-LAC "Fryderyk Chopin", but after 1,700 hours of flying in 1975, the engine was removed due to damage of the low-pressure compressor's blade and sent for repair to Soviet Union. After repair the engine was placed on SP-LAB "Tadeusz Kościuszko". After 5000 hours of flight, vibration was detected above the acceptable level and felt noticeably in the back of the aircraft. Therefore, in 1978 engine was again removed for repair in Poland and subsequently installed on SP-LAA "Mikołaj Kopernik". After repair, the engine accumulated 700 flight hours before the accident.