Country
Russia

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Vilnius: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 17, 1959 at 0954 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-84587
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Vilnius – Riga – Saint-Petersburg
MSN:
184 315 07
YOM:
0
Flight number:
SU345
Location:
Vilnius
Apskritis of Vilnius
Country:
Lithuania
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
13210
Circumstances:
Rotation from Vilnius Airport was completed at a speed of 115 km/h. After liftoff, the airplane encountered difficulties to gain height due to a high angle of attack. In stall conditions, the aircraft lost height, causing the left wing to struck the ground. Out of control, the airplane struck a ditch and two poles before coming to rest in flames 1,400 meters past the departure point. A crew member was killed while four other crews were seriously injured. All four passengers were unhurt and the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Wrong takeoff configuration on part of the captain who departed with an insufficient speed and a too high angle of attack after liftoff. At the time of the accident, the total weight of the aircraft was 79 kilos above the MTOW, which was not considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Karaganda: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1959 at 1836 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-84746
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Omsk – Pavlodar – Ekibastuz – Karaganda
MSN:
184 288 06
YOM:
1948
Location:
Karaganda
Karagandy
Country:
Kazakhstan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
26
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
12499
Circumstances:
On final approach to Karaganda by night, the crew encountered marginal weather conditions and low visibility. As he was unable to locate the runway, the captain decided to abandon the approach and made a go around. Few minutes later, while on a second attempt to land, the approach speed was too low. The airplane stalled, causing the right wing to struck the ground. Out of control, the airplane crashed 600 meters short of runway threshold and 71 meters to the left of its centerline. Eight people were injured and a passenger was killed while all 20 other occupants were unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The crew decided to continue the approach in below minima weather conditions (night, fog and low clouds down to 50 meters above the ground) instead of diverting to a suitable airport. It was determined that the pilot-in-command was focused on the runway location so he failed to pay attention to the instruments. Doing so, he did not realized his approach speed was insufficient during the last segment, causing the airplane to stall.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 near Khalaktyrka: 4 killed

Date & Time: Oct 2, 1959 at 1145 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-84448
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Milkovo – Khalaktyrka
MSN:
35 02
YOM:
1949
Location:
Khalaktyrka
Kamchatka Krai
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
9416
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a cargo flight from Milkovo to Khalaktyrka, carrying a crew of four and a load of 46 bags of potatoes for a total weight of 2,536 kilos. The crew started the descent in clouds and did not realize he was not following the assigned route for Khalaktyrka. At an altitude of 2,100 meters, the airplane struck the north face of Mt Aag (2,319 meters high) located 42 km north of Khalaktyrka. The wreckage was found a day later and all four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that strong winds were blowing at 60 km/h at the time of the accident, causing the airplane to deviate 12° from the prescribed route. Due to clouds, the crew was unable to distinguish the mountain. Lack of ATC assistance was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Cape Shelagsky: 7 killed

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1959 at 1940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-04242
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Nizhniye Kresty – Pevek
MSN:
184 399 09
YOM:
1951
Location:
Cape Shelagsky
Chukotka okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On a flight from Nizhniye Kresty (now Cherski) to Pevek on a survey flight of the icy continent, the copilot decided to cut the route short when the captain was in the passenger cabin and overflew Cape Shelagski (469 meters). On approach to the cape, the aircraft was caught by strong downdraft and eventually struck the hill with the lower fuselage, was thrown up into the air again and eventually crashed into a large boulder and caught fire. Three crew members were rescued while seven others occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Wrong decision on part of the copilot who decided to modify the route without referring to the captain and against all published procedures.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 near Kovrik River: 9 killed

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1959 at 1225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-54795
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Uchur - Uchur
MSN:
184 339 08
YOM:
13
Location:
Kovrik River
Khabarovsk Krai
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Aircraft flight hours:
9608
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Uchur in the morning on a supply mission to a geological camp located in the region of the Kovrik River. The crew successfully performed a first drop and continued along the Kovrik Valley in an attempt to make a second low pass. While cruising at low height, the captain realized he was too low and elected to return, made a sharp turn to the left when control was lost. From a height of about 20-25 meters, the aircraft bank left, stalled and crashed 1,900 meters from the drop zone. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact and all nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of poor pilot techniques and wrong decisions on part of the captain who failed to recognize that he was flying too low and at an insufficient speed while performing a sharp turn to the left in a mountainous area. The following factors were considered as contributory:
- Too low altitude to expect recovery when stall occurred,
- The crew continued the flight at an insufficient height in a mountainous area,
- Poor flight preparation,
- Wrong approach configuration.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 on Severny Island

Date & Time: Apr 29, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-04209
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Supply
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
184 308 08
YOM:
1951
Location:
Severny Island
Arkhangelsk oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll on a 750 meters long icy runway, while at a speed of 70-80 km/h, the left ski struck an irregularity on the ground. The airplane bounced, climbed to a height of 1,5-2 meters then stalled and crashed 300 meters farther. All six crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong takeoff configuration on part of the crew who attempted to takeoff at an insufficient speed. The captain should abandon the takeoff procedure instead to continue in such conditions. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- The braking performance was reduced due to the high salting of the ground,
- The 'runway' surface was uneven.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 near Berdsk: 5 killed

Date & Time: Apr 24, 1959 at 1306 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-84595
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Novosibirsk - Novosibirsk
MSN:
184 275 08
YOM:
4
Location:
Berdsk
Novosibirsk oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
9820
Circumstances:
The crew departed Novosibirsk-Severny Airport on a geophysical mission. En route, the right engine failed. Instead of feathering the propeller, the crew attempted few times to restart it but without success. Due to high drag, the airplane lost height and the speed decreased. The captain elected to make an emergency landing on a terrain located between the villages of Morozovo and Tavolgan. At a height of 330 meters, the different probes used for the mission were reinstalled in the cabin when the aircraft stalled and crashed in a wooded area. Five crew members were killed while three others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the right engine failed because the fuel selector was connected to an empty fuel tank. Poor crew coordination and failure to follow the published procedures.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 near Severo-Evensky

Date & Time: Feb 4, 1959 at 1125 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-16192
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Magadan – Evensk – Gizhiga
Location:
Evensk
Magadan oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While descending to Evensk Airport on a cargo flight from Magadan to Gizhiga, the crew encountered poor visibility due to low clouds. At an altitude of 800 meters, the airplane struck the top of a hill, continued for several hundred meters and eventually crashed on a second hill (760 meters high) located 30 km west from Evensk Airport. All six occupants were rescued while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Negligence on part of the captain who decided to start the descent prematurely without knowing his exact position, in clouds without visual contact with the ground.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Ust-Kara

Date & Time: Jan 27, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-N492
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ambulance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Amderma – Ust-Kara
MSN:
184 299 08
YOM:
1948
Location:
Ust-Kara
Nenets Autonomous Okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
2158
Circumstances:
The crew was completing an ambulance flight from Amderma to Ust-Kara to pick up a patient back to Amderma. After decending successively to 600 meters and 300 meters in marginal weather conditions (limited visibility to 4 km in rain and snow, low clouds), the pilot decided to continue the descent despite he could not clearly locate the runway. On short final, the airplane struck the snowy ground and plunged in a deep snow layer (60 cm), slid for several yards and came to rest 250 meters short of runway threshold. All occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the captain who decided to continue the descent without clear visual contact with the runway.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Grakhovo: 4 killed

Date & Time: Nov 2, 1958 at 1620 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-84624
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Stalino – Kharkov – Voronezh – Penza – Kazan – Izhevsk
MSN:
184 280 01
YOM:
1951
Location:
Grakhovo
Republic of Udmurtia
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
13175
Circumstances:
The crew departed Stalino on a cargo flight to Izhevsk with intermediate stops at Kharkov, Voronezh, Penza and Kazan, carrying a load of bottles of zinc nitrate for a total of 2,250 kilos. On the last leg from Kazan to Izhevsk, while in cruising altitude, the crew informed ATC that a fire erupted in the cabin and requested the permission to divert to the nearest airport. An emergency was declared and the captain decided to reduce his altitude and to attempt an emergency landing in a field when the airplane struck the ground, exploded and crashed. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all four crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that some bottles of zinc nitrate broke in flight, causing the fluid to leak in the heating system and to ignite when the heating system was turn ON by the crew (the ignition point of zinc nitrate is 36° C). A fire erupted in the cabin, forcing the crew to attempt an emergency landing. Upon touchdown, several bottles broke and exploded, causing a major explosion of the aircraft that was uncontrollable and crashed in flames. Investigations were able to determine that the Chemical Company in charge to ship the load from Stalino to Izhevsk failed to secure the bottles properly. Also, the operator (Aeroflot) has not been notified of the content of the shipping and thus, the crew was not aware of the nature of the load. Doing so, the Chemical Company violated all dangerous goods procedures.
Subscribe to Lisunov LI-2