Baku | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While on a ferry flight from Moscow to Tula, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and decided to divert to Tula Airport. After touchdown, the three engine airplane veered off runway, lost its left engine and came to rest. The crew was uninjured.

Crash of a Polikarpov PR-5 near Ajikabul

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1938

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov PR-5

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-L2171

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Baku - Yevlakh

MSN:

115

YOM:

1937

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route from Baku to Yevlakh, while cruising at an altitude of 400 metres, the pilot encountered fog and climbed to 1,200 metres when he encountered icing conditions. He elected to return to Baku and reduced his altitude when the airplane impacted a hill near Ajikabul. The pilot was injured and the airplane was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Failure of the pilot to initiate a flight in a visibility that was below the published minimums. The lack of ground visual references was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Tupolev ANT-9 near Verkhnii-Naur: 1 killed

Date & Time: Feb 10, 1937

Type of aircraft:

Tupolev ANT-9 (PS-9)

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-L167

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Tbilisi – Baku – Grozny – Moscow

MSN:

168

YOM:

1933

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

1404

Aircraft flight cycles:

1103

Circumstances:

The aircraft was on its way from Tbilisi to Moscow for maintenance purposes. The crew made a technical stop in Baku then continued to Grozny. On approach to Grozny, the crew encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. After 15-20 in such conditions, ice started to accumulate on the aircraft and several instruments such as the horizon, the gyrocompas and the speed indicator failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in an open field located about 30 km northwest of Grozny. The aircraft was destroyed and both occupants were seriously injured. The mechanic died from his injuries two days later.

Probable cause:

Controlled flight into terrain while cruising in fogy conditions. It was determined that the crew departed Baku Airport without any weather bulletin for Grozny.

Crash of a Kalinin K-5 in Göyçay: 4 killed

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1933 at 0930 LT

Type of aircraft:

Kalinin K-5

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-L481

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Baku - Tiflis

MSN:

216

YOM:

1932

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

183

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Baku on a regular service to Tiflis (Tbilisi), carrying three passengers and two crew members. En route to Ganzhda and Yevlakh, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to foggy conditions. He reduced his altitude in an attempt to maintain a visual contact with the ground and followed the railway line. Approaching Göyçay, at a height below 30 metres, he realized he was facing trees so he initiated a sharp turn to the right when the aircraft impacted poplar trees. The right wing was partially torn off and the aircraft crashed. A female passenger was injured while four other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

Overconfidence and lack of discipline on part of the captain who decided to continue the flight at a too low and unsafe altitude in poor visibility due to foggy conditions.

Crash of a Kalinin K-4 in Baku: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jan 18, 1930 at 1610 LT

Type of aircraft:

Kalinin K-4

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-225

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Tbilisi - Baku

MSN:

113

YOM:

1929

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

468

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight from Tiflis (Tbilisi), the crew initiated the descent to Baku at dusk. On final, in total obscurity, the airplane was too low when it collided with a telegraphic pole and crashed one km from the airport. The mechanic survived while three other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The decision of the captain to continue the approach at dusk (poor visibility) followed by a loss of orientation. The decision of the company to allow the crew to leave Tiflis while it was obviously too late.