Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 on Mt Gora Markou: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov P-5
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1732
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Meteorological / Weather
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Ashgabat - Ashgabat
MSN:
9486
YOM:
1935
Location:
Mt Gora Markou
Ahal Province (Ahal welaýaty)
Country:
Turkmenistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
3546
Circumstances:
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 Tupolev G-2 in Kyzyl-Arvat: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1941 at 0225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev ANT-6 (TB-3 & G-2)
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1996
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tashkent – Ashgabat
MSN:
22 327
YOM:
1937
Location:
Kyzyl-Arvat
Balkan Province (Balkan welaýaty)
Country:
Turkmenistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Aircraft flight hours:
3118
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Tashkent on a cargo flight to Ashgabat, carrying three passengers and six crew members on behalf of the Central Asian Military District. Prior to departure from Tashkent Airport, the crew was informed that all bearings and lighting systems would be available upon arrival in Ashgabat. Nevertheless, while descending at night to Ashgabat, the crew was unable to locate the airport due to the blackout of the city. In such conditions, the crew decided to divert to Kyzyl-Arvat located in the Krasnovodsk district of Turkmenistan. On final approach, at a height of 70 metres, the airplane impacted the slope of a hill located 3 km south of the airport. Four crew members and two passengers were killed while three other occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The investigation revealed that in spite of the assurance given by the Air Force Command in Ashgabat, no activities have been conducted at the airport which was not accessible when the crew started the approach. This cause a confusion to the crew that lost his orientation.
Subscribe to Ashgabat