Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V in Ashgabat: 12 killed

Date & Time: Mar 5, 1963 at 1934 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75765
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Krasnovodsk – Ashgabat
MSN:
181 0034 04
YOM:
28
Flight number:
SU191
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
43
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Aircraft flight hours:
2098
Aircraft flight cycles:
1213
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Krasnovodsk Airport at 1804LT and shortly after takeoff, the crew was informed about weather conditions at destination with a sand storm and a visibility limited to 1,000 meters. En route, while cruising at an altitude of 6,000 meters, weather conditions worsened and the crew obtained the permission to modify his route. At a distance of 25 km from Ashgabat, the crew started the descent and reached the altitude of 400 meters when he reported the runway lights in sight. Shortly later, the airplane became unstable and lost height. It banked left to an angle of 7°, struck power cables and a concrete post. Out of control, it banked left to an angle of 30°, stalled and crashed in flames 1,012 meters short of runway threshold. Eight crew members and four passengers were killed while 42 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Wrong decision on part of the crew who continued the approach in below minima weather conditions. Errors on part of ATC were also reported as they cleared the crew to land in below minima weather conditions and failed to divert the crew to another airport. It was also determined that the information transmitted to the crew relating to weather conditions at destination did not reflect the truth, which was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V into the Shelikov Gulf: 10 killed

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1963 at 0855 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75732
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mys Schmidta – Anadyr – Magadan
MSN:
181 0026 01
YOM:
1960
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Aircraft flight hours:
2105
Circumstances:
The crew departed Mys Schmidta (Cape Schmidt) with 14,5 tons of fuel to Anadyr. Following an uneventful flight, a load of 10 tons of meat was loaded in Anadyr and the crew left Anadyr Airport at 0625LT bound for Magadan. One hour and twenty minutes into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of 7,000 meters, the radio operator informed ATC that the engine number two failed. The captain started an emergency descent and reach the altitude of 3,000 meters five minutes later when the engine number one failed as well. In such conditions, the crew elected to make an emergency landing on the icy Shelikov Gulf. The airplane belly landed on the ice and slid for several yards before coming to rest 2,700 meters off the coast. It went through the ice and sank. The wreckage and the crew was found six days later, on March 4 at 0830LT. The aircraft was lost and all ten occupants died from hypothermia (OAT -18° C and icy water).
Probable cause:
It was determined that a hot air line located near the engine number two broke in flight. The hot air caused the melting of electrical components and the development of a fire in the engine number two nacelle, followed by the rupture of a fuel hose. Unfortunately, the aircraft was not equipped with life jackets, signaling equipment or warm clothing.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V in Paris: 21 killed

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1962 at 1410 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
HA-MOD
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Budapest – Frankfurt – Paris
MSN:
180 0020 02
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
MA355
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Captain / Total flying hours:
10380
Captain / Total hours on type:
1313.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
4135
Copilot / Total hours on type:
733
Aircraft flight hours:
2363
Circumstances:
Malev Airlines Flight 355 was a scheduled international transportation service from Budapest to Frankfurt and Parts. The flight departed Budapest for Frankfurt at 0744 hours GMT. The crew reported to the Frankfurt meteorological office for briefing at 0950 hours when the pilot's attention was drawn to the frequent occurrences of log and stratus cloud, and the possibility of light icing in stratus cloud The crew remained in the meteorological office for two hours checking successive weather reports from Orly and Le Bourget Airports. There were 13 passengers and a crew aboard when the flight departed Frankfurt for Le Bourget with the pilot-in-command occupying the left-hand seat. The first radio contact with North Area Control Centre was made at 1332 hours when the flight reported it had passed over Luxembourg at 1331 hours at flight level 180 and estimated the next reporting point MY at 1335 hours. It was then Instructed to report over MY, CH and BE. From 1344:20 hours to 1355:20 hours the flight received progressive descent clearances down to 1800 feet. At 1348:50 when the aircraft reported over CH, it was instructed to proceed to BN. However, at 1354:40 when reporting approaching BN the controller stated that it was cleared to BE and not to BN. This was acknowledged by the aircraft without repeating the message. At 1356:10 hours the flight was cleared by Le Bourget Approach for final approach. At 1356:10 the controller asked the aircraft whether it was heading BE or UN. Ten seconds later the aircraft confirmed that it was heading for BN and was then requested again to proceed to BE. The aircraft was instructed to call when over BE and was advised that it was number 2 to land. Confirmation of the QNH (altimeter setting) was given to the aircraft, and it was cleared for final approach at 1359 hours. At 1401:40 Le Bourget Approach called the aircraft, and the aircraft reported on final and stated it would call "over BE". The controller gave the aircraft its position as 2 miles east of BE and asked the pilot if he was making an ILS approach. This was confirmed. At 1405:10 hours the aircraft contacted the tower and advised it would reach BE at 1800 feet and was making an ILS approach on runway 25. At 1405:30 hours the aircraft reported over BE. It should then have been in level flight with 15deg of flap, at about 500 m (1500 ft) and at a speed of 310-320 km/h. There was no further radio contact between the aircraft and the tower although the aircraft should have reported over the outer marker at approximately 300 m (900 ft). At 1421 hours the airport authorities were informed by the police that the aircraft had crashed about 8OO m beyond the outer marker and about 135 m to the right of the ILS centreline.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of a stall during approach in the configuration landing gear extended, flaps 30°. At the time of impact the four engines were nearly at full power. The Board has not been able to establish the cause of this stall whose pattern, according to the data supplied by the Soviet experts, can only be compatible with a G-load manoeuvre. The Board has not been able to discover what caused the manoeuvre.
Final Report:

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V in Paphos

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YR-IMB
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bucharest – Nicosia – Tel Aviv
MSN:
181 0037 02
YOM:
1961
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
79
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a charter flight from Bucharest to Tel Aviv with an intermediate stop at Nicosia. En route at 7,000 meters about 70 km off the Cyprus coast, the power on engine one, two and three dropped. Shortly later, at an altitude of 3,100 meters about 45 km offshore, the engine number four also lost power. The crew elected to divert to Paphos Airport but eventually completed a wheels up landing in a field. All 87 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Crew:
Virgil Georgescu, pilot,
Nicolae Anghel,copilot,
Boris Ferderber, navigator,
Mircea Trandafir, mechanic,
Emilian Rotaru, radio operator,
Viorica Huţanu, stewardess,
Elena Frâncu, stewardess,
Elisabeta Crâşmaru, stewardess.
Probable cause:
Power loss on all four engine in flight.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V in Mineralnye Vody: 32 killed

Date & Time: Dec 31, 1961 at 1758 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75757
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tbilisi – Mineralnye Vody
MSN:
181 0032 02
YOM:
1961
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
110
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Aircraft flight hours:
593
Circumstances:
The airport of Mineralnye Vody was closed since three days due to poor weather in all the Caucasus region. Thus, many flights were cancelled and more than 500 passengers were blocked at Tbilisi Airport. In the afternoon of December 31, the airport of Mineralnye Vody was reopened to trafic and two IL-18 aircraft were chartered for the stranded passengers. The boarding process was disorganized and chaotic. Tickets were not checked and too many passengers boarded the plane. There were 84 passenger seats, so 26 passengers stood or sat on their luggage in the aisles as well as in the galley. The maximum rear centre of gravity was exceeded by 1%. Nevertheless, the flight to Mineralnye Vody was uneventful but on approach, weather conditions were still marginal with a visibility limited to 2 km, a cloud base at 120 meters, light rain and mist. On final approach to runway 12, at an altitude of 250 m and heading 117°, as the pilot-in-command was unable to locate the runway nor the approach lights, he decided to make a go around and increased power on all four engines. The crew turn right heading 188° but failed to gain height. Shortly later, the airplane struck obstacles and crashed in flames 3 km southwest of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire and 32 occupants were killed, among them two crew members. All 87 other occupants were evacuated.
Probable cause:
The decision of the crew to attempt a go around was correct due to lack of visibility on final approach. But for unknown reason, the crew continued a low level circuit southwest of the airfield, causing the aircraft to struck obstacles and to crash. A chaotic and disorganized situation at Tbilisi Airport, an excessive number of passengers on board and a high stress situation during the flight were considered as contributing factors.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18B near Chebotovka: 59 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1961 at 1600 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75654
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Moscow – Sochi
MSN:
188 0005 03
YOM:
1958
Flight number:
SU245
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
50
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
59
Aircraft flight hours:
2722
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 8,000 meters in good weather conditions, the four engine airplane went out of control, entered a dive and reached an angle of 107° and a speed of 630 km/h before crashing in a snow covered field located 10 km east of Chebotovka, in the Rostov region. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 59 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control was the consequence of an error on part of the flight mechanic who inadvertently positioned the flaps in an angle of 40° while in cruising flight. This reduced the longitudinal stability and the control was rapidly lost. It was reported that the flap lever was not protected against accidental actuation which was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18B in Riga

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75653
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Moscow – Riga
MSN:
188 0005 02
YOM:
1958
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The approach to Riga Airport was completed in a reduced visibility due to foggy conditions. The aircraft landed long and after touchdown, was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, lost its nose gear and came to rest in a field located 200 meters from the Daugava River. All six crew members were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V in Lukhovitsy

Date & Time: Jul 28, 1961 at 1740 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75766
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lukhovitsy - Lukhovitsy
MSN:
181003405
YOM:
1960
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
15
Aircraft flight cycles:
8
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a local test flight at Lukhovitsy-Tretyakovo Airport. While completing a third turn on approach, the crew activated the feathering system on the engine number two. Shortly later, while an altitude of 80-100 meters, the airplane banked left, lost height and speed, stalled and struck the ground. On impact, the undercarriage were sheared off and the airplane slid for dozen yards before coming to rest with its left wing broken. All six crew members were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on final approach due to loss of thrust on engine number one after the propeller went into autorotation, causing negative thrust.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18B in Casablanca: 72 killed

Date & Time: Jul 12, 1961 at 0125 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
OK-PAF
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Prague – Zurich – Rabat – Dakar – Conakry – Bamako
MSN:
181 0029 04
YOM:
1961
Flight number:
OK511
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
64
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
72
Captain / Total flying hours:
10560
Captain / Total hours on type:
826.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
6301
Copilot / Total hours on type:
223
Aircraft flight hours:
268
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Zurich at 2043LT on 11 July. The en route part of the flight trip was uneventful. At 01:00 the aircraft contacted Sale Tower and requested weather information. The tower replied: "visibility 10 m (30 ft), ground fog, clear sky." The flight then advised it was heading for Casablanca, the alternate. At 01:06 the aircraft gave its position as 5 miles from Casablanca-Anfa (CAS), requested permission to descend and asked for landing instructions. The aircraft was asked to call when on the downwind leg. Four minutes later the flight was asked to call when on final approach and was told that he was number one for landing, the surface wind was 040°at 4 kts. The pilot replied that he would call when over the range station. The aircraft flew over the field at 01:13, and three minutes later the pilot gave his altitude as 400 m (1300 ft) and indicated a ceiling of 150 m (500 ft). The flight was advised that cloud was 7/8, ceiling 140-150 m (450 to 500 ft). Three minutes later conditions were 7/8, 100 m (330 ft). At 01:22 the aircraft requested permission to land in Casablanca-Nouasseur Airport (CMN) if possible, and the tower asked him to wait. Two minutes later the aircraft was asked how much fuel it had remaining. It replied it had enough for 90 minutes. During the time Anfa control was transmitting this request to the American authorities in Nouasseur, the aircraft crashed at 01:25, in line with runway 03 about 8 miles from its threshold.
Probable cause:
None of the assumptions i.e. Material failure, electrical failure, abrupt manoeuvre to avoid another aircraft and unfavorable weather conditions, satisfied the investigating commission as being a definite cause of the accident. The last one, however, although unlikely at first sight, could account for the accident if the crew warned of the deteriorating weather by the Anfa tower had decided to take advantage of the partial visibility (of the ground) between stratus cloud and had attempted a fast let-down in unfavorable conditions.
Final Report: