Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2P near Bidzhan: 8 killed

Date & Time: May 2, 1983 at 1443 LT
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-07741
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Amurzet – Birobidzhan – Khabarovsk
MSN:
1G159-16
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
SU274
Location:
Bidzhan
Evreyskaya oblast (Jewish Autonomous oblast)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Aircraft flight hours:
8866
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Amurzet at 1414LT on a flight to Khabarovsk with an intermediate stop in Birobidzhan, carrying 11 passengers and a crew of two. Weather conditions were considered as marginal with a visibility reduced to 5 km due to rain showers. The crew decided to take off despite the VHF radio communication system was unserviceable. About half an hour into the flight, while cruising at an altitude of 400 meters, weather conditions deteriorated with limited visibility due to mixed rain and snow. The aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located 15 km north of Bidzhan, bursting into flames. The copilot and four passengers were critically injured while eight other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the followings:
- The crew decided to take off while the visibility was below minimums,
- The crew decided to take off while the VHF radio communication was unserviceable,
- The crew failed to inform ATC about the deterioration of the weather conditions,
- When weather conditions deteriorated, the crew failed to return and continued the flight into such conditions,
- The crew modified its route without ATC clearance.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Birobidzhan

Date & Time: May 18, 1975
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-70426
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1G143-05
YOM:
1973
Location:
Birobidzhan
Evreyskaya oblast (Jewish Autonomous oblast)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew flew a steep turn while the aircraft was very low of fuel. In such conditions, air went into the fuel system, causing the engine to flame out. The aircraft crash landed in a field and came to rest. There were no casualties.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12 in Birobidzhan: 27 killed

Date & Time: Dec 18, 1957 at 1235 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-12
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1309
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Khabarovsk – Magdagachi – Irkutsk – Moscow
MSN:
30 015
YOM:
1947
Flight number:
SU010
Location:
Birobidzhan
Evreyskaya oblast (Jewish Autonomous oblast)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Aircraft flight hours:
10436
Circumstances:
While parked at Khabarovsk Airport, the aircraft encountered gusty winds up to 86 km/h. Strong winds were still gusting during taxiing and takeoff. At 1158LT, the crew left Khabarovsk Airport bound for Magdagachi. At 1235LT, while cruising at an altitude of 2,100 meters, the airplane went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed on the northwestern slope of Mt Poktoi located about 30 km west of Birobidzhan. SAR operations were initiated but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft was found. The wreckage was located in June 1958 on a 45° slope terrain. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control was the consequence of the failure of the rudder that detached in flight following strong winds encountered on ground while parked at Khabarovsk Airport.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 near Birobidzhan: 4 killed

Date & Time: Jul 24, 1955 at 0820 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L2616
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1 09 473 05
YOM:
15
Location:
Birobidzhan
Evreyskaya oblast (Jewish Autonomous oblast)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
2169
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft departed Birobidzhan Airport at 0810LT on a short cargo flight to a remote area, carrying two geophysicists, two pilots and two diesel drums. After takeoff, the aircraft climbed to 15-20 meters then the crew made a 180 turn and continued to the southwest for about 20 km. While cruising at an altitude of 600 meters, the aircraft hit tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area. The aircraft was destroyed and all four occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that both pilots were intoxicated at the time of the accident. They decided to start the flight without proper permission and failed to consult the weather forecast prior to departure. It was also reported that both passengers were not authorized to embark on this flight and at takeoff, the total weight of the aircraft was 4,900 kilos, 160 kilos above the MTOW.
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