Polikarpov P-5 | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The pilot departed Ashgabat Airport to collect meteorological data. While flying in poor weather conditions, he lost control of the airplane that crashed on the slope of Mt Gora Markou (1,530 metres high) located about 25 km west of Ashgabat. As the airplane failed to return to base, SAR operations were initiated and the wreckage was found a week later, on April 25, some 20-30 metres below the summit of the mountain. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the pilot lost control of the airplane after he encountered very bad weather conditions with clouds and atmospheric turbulences.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 near Tebleshi: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 9, 1942 at 0900 LT

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov P-5

Operator:

Registration:

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Moscow - Alehovshchina

MSN:

YOM:

1933

Location:

Country:

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Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

1462

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Moscow-Myachkovo Airport at 0720LT on a flight to Alehovshchina, carrying one passenger and two crew members. Prior to departure, the pilot was instructed to return in case of poor weather conditions. After passing over Dmitrov, weather conditions deteriorated with drizzle, rain and fog. The pilot continued for about 10 minutes then decided to return but this was too late. Following a turn, the airplane lost altitude then contacted trees and crashed near the village of Tebleshi. The pilot was killed and both other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

The decision of the pilot to continue into poor weather conditions and his failure to return in due time as instructed prior to takeoff from Moscow.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 near Privolye

Date & Time: Feb 24, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov P-5

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-X314

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

10043

YOM:

1935

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While on a combat mission, the airplane passed behind the enemy lines when it was shot down by the German Flak and crashed 1,5 km northeast of the village of Privolye. Both crew members were uninjured.

Probable cause:

Shot down by the German Flak.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 near Ugra

Date & Time: Feb 6, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov P-5

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-F90

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

9417

YOM:

1934

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane was engaged in a supply flight with one passenger and one pilot on board. After passing the enemy lines, it was shot down by a German fighter (Junkers JU.88) and crash landed in a field near Ugra. Both crew members were uninjured.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 in Tula

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1942

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov P-5

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-X31

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

8212

YOM:

1934

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane suffered a fuel exhaustion and crashed upon landing, coming to rest in a ravine. The pilot, sole on board, escaped uninjured.

Probable cause:

Fuel exhaustion.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 in Bryukhovetskaya: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 6, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov P-5

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-F89

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Simferopol - Moscow

MSN:

9388

YOM:

1934

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

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Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane departed Simferopol on a mail flight to Moscow, carrying two passengers and one pilot. En route, the pilot descended too low over terrain, causing the undercarriage to struck the ground. The airplane then hit two people working in the field and crashed 66 metres further, bursting into flames. Both passengers were seriously injured while the pilot and two people on the ground were killed. One of the passenger died from injuries sustained the following day.

Probable cause:

The pilot continued the flight at a too low (unsafe) altitude, causing the airplane to touch the ground and to crash.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 near Kiev

Date & Time: Jul 18, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov P-5

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-F49

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

OD47

YOM:

1932

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

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Circumstances:

While flying at low height, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed west of the city. The pilot was injured and the airplane was destroyed.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 near Kalinin

Date & Time: Jul 16, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov P-5

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-F95

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

9384

YOM:

1934

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While flying at low height, the pilot lost control of the airplane that crashed near Kalinin (now Tver). The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was injured.

Probable cause:

Loss of control due to lack of discipline on part of the pilot.