Country
Russia

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 in Rostov-on-Don: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jul 9, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov P-5
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-Sh630
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Rostov-on-Don - Rostov-on-Don
MSN:
5410
YOM:
1932
Location:
Rostov-on-Don-Olginskaya
Rostov oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The crew departed Rostov-on-Don-Olginskaya Aerodrome on a local training flight. While cruising at an altitude of 800 metres, the pilot initiated aerobatics when he lost control of the airplane that entered a dive and crashed in a field. Both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- The pilot was completing aerobatics manoeuvres at an unsafe altitude,
- The airplane entered a dive at an excessive speed,
- The pilot was not sufficiently trained to initiated such manoeuvres,
- Poor piloting techniques,
- Lack of discipline.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 in Alkakhatki: 2 killed

Date & Time: May 27, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov P-5
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-Sh938
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Tambov - Tambov
MSN:
8031
YOM:
1934
Location:
Alkakhatki
Tambov oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
352
Aircraft flight cycles:
511
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Tambov on a training mission, carrying two pilots, one cadet and one instructor. While cruising at an altitude of 1,000 metres in good weather conditions, the airplane started to disintegrate in the air, losing several pieces. It entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a field located in Alkakhatki, some 60 km southeast of Tambov. The aircraft was destroyed and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the student pilot probably made a mistake with the power lever while flying at a speed of 180 km/h. This caused the aircraft to reach the excessive speed of 260 km/h and to enter an overspeed. Several pieces from the wings, engine, ailerons and lower plant started to detach. The airplane then entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed. It was determined that the airplane was not certified to fly over the speed of 210 km/h.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 in Orlik: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 18, 1937
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov P-5
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1731
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Uralsk – Guryev
MSN:
9474
YOM:
1935
Location:
Orlik
Atyrau
Country:
Kazakhstan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
1281
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Uralsk on a cargo flight to Guryev, carrying two crew members and a load of 400 kg of fret and mail. En route, weather conditions worsened. Due to poor visibility, the pilot made an emergency landing near the village of Kalmykovo. About an hour later, as the visibility seems to be better, he took off again. The airplane failed to arrive at destination. The wreckage was found near the village of Orlik. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The following factors were identified:
- The pilot decided to continue the flight in poor visibility (between 50 and 200 metres) and failed to return,
- Lack of discipline,
- Overconfidence,
- The weather bulletin transmitted to the crew prior to departure from Uralsk were incomplete and inaccurate.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 on Mt Akh-Dag: 1 killed

Date & Time: Dec 26, 1936
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov P-5
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-M50
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Basargechar - Yerevan
MSN:
9572
YOM:
1935
Location:
Mt Akh-Dag
Kotayk
Country:
Armenia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
645
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Basargechar at 1550LT on a cargo flight to Yerevan, carrying one pilot and a load of 240 kg of tobacco. While cruising in clouds over the Akhmangan Mountain Range, the airplane went out of control and impacted the slope of Mt Akh-Dag (3,454 metres high). As the airplane failed to arrive at destination, SAR operations were initiated but were eventually suspended on 15 January 1937. The wreckage was found on 26 August 1937. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot suffered a spatial disorientation while flying in clouds over mountainous terrain, causing a loss of control and a subsequent impact with terrain.
The following contributing factors were identified:
- The decision to fly another route over mountains was in violation of the published procedures,
- The number of daylight hours after takeoff from Basargechar was insufficient.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 in Sukhotinka: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1936 at 1235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov P-5
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-Sh869
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Tambov - Balashov
MSN:
7986
YOM:
1934
Location:
Sukhotinka
Tambov oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
585
Aircraft flight cycles:
2120
Circumstances:
The single enginer airplane departed Tambov on a training flight to Balashov with one instructor and one student pilot on board. About 15-20 minutes into the flight, while flying over the village of Sukhotinka, the airplane was following a road at low height when it entered clouds. Shortly later, it rolled to the left, descended to the ground and crashed. Both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- The student pilot was not authorized to fly in clouds,
- The student pilot training was insufficient,
- The instructor was overconfident.

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

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1936 at 1700 LT
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov P-5
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1892
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kulob - Stalinabad
MSN:
9492
YOM:
1935
Location:
Kulob
Khatlon Province
Country:
Tajikistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
1341
Aircraft flight cycles:
954
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Kulob Airport at 1650LT on a cargo flight to Stalinabad, carrying one pilot and six bags of corn for a total weight of 425 kg. After takeoff, the pilot made several circuits over the airport to reach the altitude of 800 metres then sets course for Stalinabad. About 10 minutes later, while cruising at an altitude of 300 metres, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to make an emergency landing but there was not suitable terrain. Out of control, the airplane crashed on hilly terrain located about 10 km from Kulob. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of an engine failure due to the failure of the lower head of the 3rd cylinder connecting rod as a result of poor heat treatment. The accident occurred in an area that did not allow the pilot to make an emergency landing, which was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 in Mineralnye Vody: 1 killed

Date & Time: Oct 30, 1936 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov P-5
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1706
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mineralnye Vody – Rostov-on-Don
MSN:
9460
YOM:
1935
Location:
Mineralnye Vody
Stavropol Krai
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
839
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Mineralnye Vody Airport on a cargo flight to Rostov-on-Don. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing to a height of 25 metres, he initiated a turn to the right when the airplane stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
Investigations were unable to determine the exact cause of the accident. Nevertheless, it is believed that the pilot precipitated the takeoff procedure to allow another plane to depart immediately behind him. It was established that the airplane rolled for a distance of 620 metres only prior to rotation and that its speed during the first turn was insufficient, causing it to stall.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 in Kuybyshev: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1936 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov P-5
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1918
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Aktyubinsk – Kuybyshev – Moscow
MSN:
9466
YOM:
1935
Location:
Kuybyshev
Samara oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The pilot, sole on board, departed Aktyubinsk on a mail flight to Moscow with an intermediate stop in Kuybyshev. On approach to Kuybyshev Airport, the pilot completed a haft-circle to reach the runway when he realized his position was incorrect. He decided to initiate a go-around procedure when he saw the pipe of a foundry. While trying to get height, the airplane collided with the pipe and crashed, bursting into flames. The pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of a wrong approach configuration caused by pilot fatigue combined with poor piloting techniques.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 in Kurgan: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 20, 1936 at 1445 LT
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov P-5
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L599
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Novosibirsk – Kurgan – Sverdlovsk
MSN:
95
YOM:
1934
Location:
Kurgan
Kurgan oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
692
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Novosibirsk on a flight to Sverdlovsk with an intermediate stop in Kurgan, carrying one passenger and two crew members. On final approach to Kurgan Airport, at a height of 200 metres, the pilot initiated a turn to the left when he lost control of the airplane that crashed in the Tobol River, one km from the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- The aircraft was incorrectly loaded, resulting in a loss of longitudinal controllability;
- The total weight of the aircraft was 300 kilos over the maximum allowable landing weight;
- The engine stopped on approach because the tank to which the fuel selector was connected was empty;
- Lack of knowledge on the part of the crew regarding the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft;
- Poor piloting techniques.
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