Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Chelyabinsk: 9 killed

Date & Time: May 26, 2008 at 2011 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Registration:
RA-12957
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Chelyabinsk - Perm
MSN:
8 3 455 08
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
GIA9675
Location:
Chelyabinsk
Chelyabinsk oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Aircraft flight hours:
42817
Aircraft flight cycles:
14828
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful cargo flight from Moscow to Chelyabinsk where a load of 9 tons of various goods was deplaned, the aircraft was ferried to Perm. One minute after takeoff from Chelyabinsk Airport runway 09, while climbing in marginal weather conditions, the crew declared an emergency and reported smoke in the cockpit. After being cleared to return, the crew completed a circuit. During a third turn to the left, while in a left bank of 15° and at a speed of 335 km/h, both left engines failed and their propellers autofeathered. About 40 seconds later, the aircraft entered a right turn then descended to the ground and crashed in an open field located 11 km from Chelyabinsk Airport, bursting into flames. The accident occurred 8 minutes after takeoff. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 9 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the result of a loss of controllability due to the destruction of the aileron control cables while carrying out an emergency approach to Chelyabinsk Airport after smoke spread in the cabin and the cockpit. The destruction of aileron wiring occurred, presumably, in the area of the 23-25 web frames of the cargo hold. The reason for the destruction of the wiring installation has most likely been a significant heating of a control rod located in this zone, made of alloy D16-T, and its subsequent break under tension-load operation. Heating of the control rod could be a consequence of fire of the aircraft's electricity network, in immediate proximity of the control rod. This led smoke to spread in the cargo hold, unexpected triggering of alarm systems, aircraft equipment failures, and the auto-shutdown of two engines. Electrical bunch-conductors, distributors, blocks and aggregates of the aeronautical equipment, located in the 15-25 frames zone (ceiling of the cargo compartment) came under intense attack by fire, resulting in a collision collision with the ground, as a result of which it was impossible to accurately determine the primary origin and reason of the fire.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154B-2 in Moscow

Date & Time: May 21, 1986 at 1521 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-154
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-85327
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Abakan - Chelyabinsk - Moscow
MSN:
79A327
YOM:
1979
Location:
Moscow-Sheremetyevo
Moscow oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
175
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
11922
Aircraft flight cycles:
4687
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Chelyabinsk to Moscow in relative good weather conditions, the crew started the descent to Moscow-Domodedovo when the weather conditions worsened. While descending to an altitude of 3,600 meters, the aircraft entered an area of heavy rain falls and icing (a cold front was passing over Moscow at that time). The Pitot tubes became obstructed, modifying some instruments settings. The airspeed indicator fell to zero and the crew thought the aircraft was near stall conditions so he initiated an emergency descent with a rate of descent of 100 meters per second and a speed of 813 km/h. The aircraft encountered positive acceleration of 3,2 g and suffered structural damages. The crew was able to divert to Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport where an emergency landing was completed. All 185 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was later declared as damaged beyond repair due to irreparable damages to the main structure (fuselage).
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew failed to prepare the light properly at Chelyabinsk Airport and failed to follow the pre-takeoff checklist. Doing so, the crew forgot to activate the Pitot heating system. While descending to Moscow, the Pitot tube became obstructed by ice because they were not heated.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134A near Almaty: 90 killed

Date & Time: Aug 30, 1983 at 2017 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-134
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65129
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kazan - Chelyabinsk - Alma-Ata
MSN:
60630
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
SU5463
Location:
Almaty
Almaty Province
Country:
Kazakhstan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
84
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
90
Aircraft flight hours:
9976
Aircraft flight cycles:
6515
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Chelyabinsk at an altitude of 10,200 meters, the crew was cleared to initiate the approach to Alma-Ata Airport in view of a landing on runway 05. By night, the crew was instructed to initiate a left turn and to descend to an altitude of 600 meters after being informed of an II-62 approaching eight km right of their position. As the aircraft was too low, the GPWS warning sounded in the cockpit. For unknown reasons, the crew failed to react promptly and initiated a corrective maneuver 23 seconds later. The aircraft nosed up to an angle of 14° then turned left to an angle of 11-12° when it struck two seconds later the slope of Mt Dolan (690 meters high) located about 36 km west of Almaty Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 90 occupants were killed. The wreckage was found 24 meters below the summit.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew failed to prepare the approach maneuver according to published procedures. ATC failed to assist the crew properly and transmitted wrong instructions, causing the airplane to descent prematurely to the unsafe altitude of 600 meters and outside the approach diagram. The crew failed to be proactive when the GPWS alarm sounded and a corrective action was taken too late. It was also reported that the phraseology used by the pilots was non standard.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18D in Sochi

Date & Time: May 10, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-18
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75414
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Sochi - Chelyabinsk
MSN:
186 0093 03
YOM:
1966
Location:
Sochi-Adler
Krasnodar Krai
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
72
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
27042
Aircraft flight cycles:
10823
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Sochi-Adler, at a speed of 220 km/h at a distance of 1,100 meters from the runway end, the aircraft's speed fluctuated for about 2-3 seconds. The captain decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking maneuver. The airplane's speed increased to 250 km/h until the reverse thrust activated. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage and eventually collided with trees. 15 occupants, among them five crew members, were injured. The aircraft was written off.
Probable cause:
The decision of the captain to abandon the takeoff procedure was hasty as the takeoff configuration and all takeoff calculation were correct. It was determined that the speed's fluctuation at 220 km/h was the consequence of a brutal change it the wind direction and speed. Nevertheless, the aircraft was already above V1 and the takeoff should be continued.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 near Polotsk: 14 killed

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1971 at 1635 LT
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-96221
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Polotsk – Chelyabinsk
MSN:
1G72-05
YOM:
1966
Flight number:
SU697
Location:
Polotsk
Chelyabinsk oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
12
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Aircraft flight hours:
6056
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Polotsk Airport at 1623LT on a flight to Chelyabinsk, carrying 12 passengers (mining workers) and a crew of two. 12 minutes later, while cruising at an altitude of 300 meters in good weather conditions, the airplane went out of control and crashed in a steppe located 35 km north of Polotsk. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 14 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that none of the 12 passengers were attached and some of them were standing in the rear compartment of the aircraft, prohibited to passengers, the access door to be locked. Various analysis revealed that all passengers were intoxicated at the time of the accident and that they were probably moving in the cabin without the consent of the crew. This situation likely modified the CofG, causing the airplane to become uncontrollable.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2TP in Tokmasskiy: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1970 at 1150 LT
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-40573
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Positioning
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Chelyabinsk – Magnitogorsk
MSN:
1G84-26
YOM:
29
Location:
Tokmasskiy
Chelyabinsk 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:
2774
Aircraft flight cycles:
4785
Circumstances:
On a positioning flight from Chelyabinsk to Magnitogorsk, the crew encountered below-minima weather conditions (heavy snow falls and limited visibility). While cruising at an altitude of 300 meters, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed in a snow-covered field located near Tokmasskiy, some 18 km northeast of Uyskoye. The wreckage was found 6 km off course and both pilots were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after the pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V in Karaganda

Date & Time: Jan 9, 1968
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-18
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75519
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Leningrad – Chelyabinsk – Karaganda – Alma-Ata
MSN:
183 0067 02
YOM:
1963
Location:
Karaganda
Karagandy
Country:
Kazakhstan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While on approach to Karaganda Airport, the crew was instructed by ATC to divert to Tselinograd as the airfield was closed to traffic. The pilot ignored this message and decided to continue the descent. After it passed through the last cloud layer, the aircraft was too low and the captain decided to make a go-around when the airplane struck the ground and came to rest 700 meters short of runway threshold. All occupants survived while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Crew error.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Ufa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1961 at 1607 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-54783
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kazan – Ufa – Chelyabinsk – Omsk – Novosibirsk – Tomsk
MSN:
3 34 447 06
YOM:
1949
Flight number:
SU747
Location:
Ufa
Republic of Bashkortostan
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The takeoff from Ufa Airport was completing in marginal weather conditions and the airplane was unable to gain sufficient speed. Despite the situation, the captain decided to rotate and immediately after liftoff, the aircraft adopted a high angle of attack, causing the base of the tail to struck the ground. The aircraft bounced several times then crash landed, overran and came to rest in a garden located 290 meters past the runway end and 220 meters to the left of the extended centerline. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were seriously injured. Five hours after the crash, the captain died from his injuries and 38 hours later, the radio operator died.
Probable cause:
Poor flight preparation on part of the crew who decided to takeoff with a contaminated aircraft. At the time of the accident, the wings, stabs and tail were recovered with an excessive accumulation of snow which reduced drag, limited thrust and performances and modified the aerodynamic.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 in Chelyabinsk: 8 killed

Date & Time: May 16, 1955 at 1400 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L5579
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Spraying (Agricultural)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chelyabinsk - Chelyabinsk
MSN:
1 49 473 17
YOM:
2
Location:
Chelyabinsk
Chelyabinsk oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Aircraft flight hours:
132
Circumstances:
The crew arrived at the Podovinnoe Farm in the Chelyabinsk region on May 12 to apply fertilizers on crops. On the evening of May 12, the crew drank a lot of vodka and red wine. There were no flight on May 13 due to poor weather conditions. On May 14 and 15, the crew completed 30 rotations each day for a total of 12 hours flight. On the evening of May 15, all four crew members went to a local hostel and again drank a lot of vodka and red wine. The captain went to bed at 0030LT, the copilot at 0255LT, the machanic at 0105LT and the flight engineer slept at the hostel. On the 16, at 0900LT, all four crew took their breakfast with vodka and red wine again. Later, the crew arrived at the airplane with four other people, among them two young girls. A local keeper elected to dissuade the crew to takeoff but without success. After takeoff at 1400LTf, the single engine aircraft climbed to a height of 60 meters then continued to a heading of 110° for about 2-3 minutes before entering a dive and crashing in a field located six km from the airstrip. The aircraft was destroyed and all eight occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
All four crew members were drunk at the time of the accident and were not able to fly. Poor discipline and responsibility on part of the crew who decided to takeoff in such conditions. Also, the crew violated the company procedures letting non authorized people to fly with.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 near Zlatoust: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 30, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L4214
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Chelyabinsk – Kazan – Moscow
MSN:
18421005
YOM:
0
Flight number:
SU020
Location:
Zlatoust
Chelyabinsk oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Aircraft flight hours:
2316
Circumstances:
The crew left Chelyabinsk Airport at 1215LT, established contact with RDS Koltsovo and was instructed to proceed to the altitude of 1,500 meters, although this was lower than the minimum safe altitude of 2,100 meters on the route Chelyabinsk - Kazan. An hour later, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with a cloud base at 200 meters, heavy snow falls and an estimated horizontal visibility less than 4 km. While cruising at the altitude of 1,145 meters, the twin engine aircraft hit the slope of Mt Taganay located about 20 km north of Zlatoust. The wreckage was found in an isolated and mountainous area a day later, the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all six occupants have been killed. The aircraft was carrying a load of various goods consisting of grinding wheels, boxes and a furnace-type PET-8 for a total of 2,298 kilos.
Probable cause:
The crew was authorized to fly at an altitude of 1,500 meters while the minimum prescribed altitude was fixed at 2,100 meters. It was reported that weather datas compiled prior to the flight were incomplete in that the person in charge of preparing the file for the crew remained asleep. Despite this situation, the crew decided to leave the airport of Chelyabinsk while they had no specific information about the weather and although they have not been cleared to land in Kazan Airport.
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