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Crash of an Ilyushin II-12 in Minsk: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jul 21, 1960 at 0032 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-01405
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Leningrad – Vilnius – Minsk – Lviv
MSN:
83012902
YOM:
1949
Flight number:
SU414
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Aircraft flight hours:
13706
Circumstances:
After a course of 750 meters at Minsk Airport, the pilot-in-command completed the rotation. Due to an insufficient speed, the airplane climbed with a high angle off attack and was quite immediately in a nose high attitude and in stall conditions. The airplane struck the ground four times then hit power cables before crashing on a truck parking lot. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members and four passengers were killed. The rest of the occupants were injured.
Probable cause:
Wrong takeoff configuration on part of the flying crew who started the rotation at an insufficient speed, causing the aircraft to be in a high angle of attack and in stall conditions immediately after liftoff. The fact that the runway was soggy was considered as a contributing factor because this slow down the airplane during the takeoff procedure to due an excessive accumulation of water on the lower part of the wing, reducing the aerodynamic capabilities.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12 in Irkutsk: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 29, 1959 at 1852 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-01426
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mama – Kirensk – Irkoutsk
MSN:
30 257
YOM:
1948
Flight number:
V-8
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
9169
Circumstances:
On approach to Irkutsk-Intl Airport, the crew encountered foggy conditions. Despite the visibility decreased below minima, the captain continued the approach when the left wing tip struck the ground. Out of control, the airplane nosed down, struck the ground, bounced and eventually crashed 30 meters farther. The captain and the mechanic were killed while both other crew members were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. Two days later, on December 1st, the copilot died from his injuries and a day later, on December 2nd, the radio operator died as well.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the visibility suddenly dropped due to fog in the approach path and the runway threshold. Despite the situation, the captain decided to continue the approach in below-minima conditions instead of diverting to another suitable airport. Weather forecast were inaccurate and did not reflect reality, which remains a contributing factor.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12L at Mirny Ice Station

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-04249
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
30 099
YOM:
1947
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Mirny Ice Station, the airplane was too low and struck the ground. On impact, the skis and the undercarriage were sheared off and the airplane came to rest on its belly. All five crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair. The exact date of the occurrence remains unknown, somewhere in January 1959.
Probable cause:
Too low approach on part of the pilot-in-command.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12 in Uralsk

Date & Time: Dec 24, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1458
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Moscow – Uralsk – Aktyubinsk
MSN:
83 025 25
YOM:
1948
Flight number:
SU069
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Uralsk Airport, the captain decided to activate the afterburner without informing the rest of the crew. The takeoff roll was longer than expected and he completed the rotation after a run of 750 meters. After takeoff, while climbing to a height of 2-3 meters at a speed of 160 km/h, the captain prematurely ordered the retraction of the landing gear. In a certain confusion, the board mechanic shut down both engines instead of retracting the gears. The aircraft flew for about 605 meters then descended to the ground, rolled for 211 meters and struck a railway embankment and telephone pole. On impact, the airplane lost its undercarriage and slid for several yards before coming to rest. While all five crew members were injured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Poor flight preparation on part of the flying crew and lack of crew resources management and coordination. The captain took the decision to activate the afterburner system without any announcement to the rest of the crew and during the takeoff roll and not prior to takeoff which is against the published procedures. This caused a certain confusion in the cockpit.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12 in Cherepovets

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1467
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Leningrad – Cherepovets – Sverdlovsk
MSN:
8 30 25 04
YOM:
1948
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Apparently following a wrong approach configuration, the airplane landed long and was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and crashed into a ravine. There were no casualties but the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12 in Lazo: 28 killed

Date & Time: Sep 19, 1958 at 1615 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L3904
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Magadan – Okhotsk – Khabarovsk
MSN:
30 073
YOM:
5
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Aircraft flight hours:
7834
Circumstances:
Approaching Khabarovsk in limited visibility, the crew lost his orientation and continued to the south. Few minutes later, in poor weather conditions, the crew did not realize his altitude was too low. While cruising at an altitude of 850 meters, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain (1,050 meters high) located in the Lazo district, about 145 km southeast of Khabarovsk. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 28 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
ATC were unable to determine the exact position of the aircraft and to assist the crew efficiently. It is believed that both engines eventually stopped due to a fuel exhaustion and that the crew was unable to attempt an emergency landing due to limited visibility and rough terrain.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12 in Magadan: 24 killed

Date & Time: Jun 9, 1958 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1364
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Okhotsk – Magadan
MSN:
30 082
YOM:
1947
Flight number:
SU105
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
20
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Aircraft flight hours:
11103
Circumstances:
While descending to Magadan Airport on a flight from Okhotsk, weather conditions deteriorated with low clouds, rain falls and a visibility of about four km. On approach, the airplane struck pine trees and crashed in a wooded area located 16,5 km south of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all 24 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew started the descent without knowing his real position and altitude. Due to clouds, the pilot failed to locate the ground nor the airport.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12 in Birobidzhan: 27 killed

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1957 at 1235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1309
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Khabarovsk – Magdagachi – Irkutsk – Moscow
MSN:
30 015
YOM:
1947
Flight number:
SU010
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Aircraft flight hours:
10436
Circumstances:
While parked at Khabarovsk Airport, the aircraft encountered gusty winds up to 86 km/h. Strong winds were still gusting during taxiing and takeoff. At 1158LT, the crew left Khabarovsk Airport bound for Magdagachi. At 1235LT, while cruising at an altitude of 2,100 meters, the airplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed on the northwestern slope of Mt Poktoi located about 30 km west of Birobidzhan. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft was found. The wreckage was located in June 1958 on a 45° slope terrain. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control was the consequence of the failure of the rudder that detached in flight following strong winds encountered on ground while parked at Khabarovsk Airport.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12P at SP-7 Polar Station: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1957 at 0045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-N442
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mys Chelyuskin - SP-7
MSN:
30 060
YOM:
1947
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
On a cargo flight from Mys Chelyuskin to SP-7 (which drifted around N87°) when flew too low on final approach in difficult weather conditions (low clouds and poor visibility). During the polar night, the left wing collided with ice hummocks some 3 km from the runway threshold and the aircraft crashed. All six crew were injured and rescued by a Mil Mi-4 some 21 hours later. One of the crew member died from his injuries five days later.
Crew:
Vladimir Malkov, pilot,
A. A. Lebedev, pilot,
Valentin A. Kolosov, mechanic,
S. P. Jars, mechanic,
Nikolaï Pischke, flight engineer,
Gennady M. Nevyantsev, radio operator.
Probable cause:
The approach to SP-7 Station was completed under VFR by night and marginal weather conditions. It was possible for the crew to postpone the flight but the captain decided to conduct the flight despite the weather conditions.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12 near Aksha: 27 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1957 at 1855 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1389
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Moscow – Irkutsk – Chita – Khabarovsk
MSN:
30 123
YOM:
21
Flight number:
SU011
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
23
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Aircraft flight hours:
9996
Circumstances:
While cruising by night on the leg from Irkutsk to Chita, the crew lost his orientation and requested ATC assistance, without success. The airplane deviated from the prescribed flight path to the south and due to fuel exhaustion, the crew was forced to make an emergency landing. Following three unsuccessful attempts, the captain elected a fourth landing attempt when, at an altitude of 900 meters, the airplane clip trees, continued for about 340 meters and eventually crashed in a dense wooded area. A passenger was seriously injured and later evacuated while all 27 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew failed to adhere to published procedures and did not follow the route mentioned on the flight plan because he failed to use the automatic direction finder properly. Following several mistakes and a lack of awareness, the crew failed to take the appropriate actions to establish his position. It was also considered that the ATC assistance was insufficient and inefficient.