Crash of an Antonov AN-8 in Elista

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1994 at 1136 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-8
Operator:
MAP Kaluga Motors
Registration:
RA-59504
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kaluga - Yerevan - Elista - Kaluga
MSN:
0B3480
YOM:
1960
Location:
Elista
Republic of Kalmykia
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
14447
Aircraft flight cycles:
6880
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Elista Airport, while climbing to the altitude of 2,000 metres, the crew reported to ATC that a fire erupted in the cargo compartment and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. The crew was able to extinguish the fire but several hydraulic lines were severed and the crew was unable to lower the undercarriage while the flaps could be extended in a 10° angle only. The aircraft belly landed and slid on runway for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All 24 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Makhachkala: 51 killed

Date & Time: Nov 7, 1991 at 1350 LT
Type of aircraft:
Yakovlev Yak-40
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-87526
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Elista - Makhachkala
MSN:
9 52 08 41
YOM:
1975
Flight number:
S-519
Location:
Makhachkala
Republic of Dagestan
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
47
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
51
Circumstances:
The descent to Makhachkala was started in poor weather conditions. While over mountainous terrain, the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when, at an altitude of 550 metres and at a speed of 366 km/h, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Kukurtbash (980 metres high) located 23 km from the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 51 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft was following a wrong approach path to Makhachkala-Uytash Airport following inaccurate ATC instructions. ATC in charge transmitted wrong instructions to the crew, causing the aircraft to be off course and below the minimum prescribed altitude. The crew was unable to see and avoid the mountain due to low clouds in the area and was unaware of his exact position. It was also reported that the crew allowed 47 passengers (39 adults and 8 children) to embark in Elista while 32 seats were available on board. This caused the aircraft to take off with a total weight of 260 kilos above MTOW.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Elista: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1964 at 1232 LT
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-62730
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Elista - Elista
MSN:
1G33-24
YOM:
1963
Location:
Elista
Republic of Kalmykia
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
1329
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local training flight at Elista Airport. While flying at an altitude of 200-250 meters, the engine caught fire and the pilot elected to return to Elista for an emergency landing. On final, at a height of some 25-30 meters, fuel vapors exploded and the aircraft crashed in flames 2 km from the airport. All three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The engine caught fire and exploded due to poor maintenance on part of the technicians. Investigations revealed that the mechanic in charge of the last maintenance of the aircraft failed to tight properly the fuel tap. Also, his supervisor did not carry out checks and failed to ensure that the work had been carried out according to the procedures.
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