Zone
Gansu

Crash of an Avia 14M near Dingxi: 14 killed

Date & Time: Oct 8, 1992 at 1531 LT
Type of aircraft:
Avia 14
Operator:
Registration:
B-4211
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Lanzhou - Xi'an
MSN:
109 807 113
YOM:
1958
Location:
Dingxi
Gansu
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Lanzhou around 1445LT on a flight to Xi'an, carrying 28 passengers and a crew of seven. About 45 minutes into the flight, the crew informed ATC about the failure of the left engine and was cleared to return to Lanzhou. Unable to maintain a safe altitude, the aircraft struck a hilly terrain and crashed near Dingxi, about 72 km southeast of Lanzhou. 14 people were killed and 21 others were injured.
Probable cause:
Failure of the left engine in flight for unknown reasons.

Crash of an Antonov AN-24RV in Lanzhou: 6 killed

Date & Time: Dec 15, 1986
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-24
Operator:
Registration:
B-3413
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lanzhou – Xi’an – Chengdu
MSN:
37308907
YOM:
1973
Location:
Lanzhou
Gansu
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
37
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Lanzhou-Zhongshan Airport, the crew encountered poor weather and severe icing conditions. The right engine failed and the crew feathered its propeller. After being cleared to return, the crew initiated the descent when control was lost. The airplane crashed in a field located few km from the airport, some 30 minutes after takeoff. Six passengers were killed while 38 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right engine due to severe icing conditions.

Crash of a Curtiss C-46D-20-CU in Lanzhou: 38 killed

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1949
Type of aircraft:
Curtiss C-46 Commando
Operator:
Registration:
XT-820
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Lanzhou – Hong Kong
MSN:
22354
YOM:
1945
Location:
Lanzhou
Gansu
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
33
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
38
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Lanzhou Airport, while in initial climb, the aircraft went out of control, dove into the ground and crashed in a huge explosion. All 38 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 near Wuwei: 26 killed

Date & Time: Jul 31, 1947
Type of aircraft:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Urumqi – Lanzhou
Location:
Wuwei
Gansu
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
Circumstances:
While on a flight from Urumqi to Lanzhou, the aircraft crashed in a mountainous area located in the region of Wuwei. The wreckage was found few days later and all 26 occupants were killed, among them one US and one British citizen.

Crash of a Junkers W.34hi near Lingtai: 2 killed

Date & Time: Nov 27, 1935
Type of aircraft:
Junkers W.34
Operator:
Registration:
V
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Lanzhou – Xi’an
MSN:
2746
YOM:
1934
Location:
Lingtai
Gansu
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
En route from Lanzhou to Xi’an, the engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when control was lost and the airplane crashed near Lingtai. Both passengers were injured and both crew members were killed.
Crew:
Fritz Bröhm, pilot,
Mr. Meier, mechanic.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight.

Crash of a Junkers W.34gi near Lanzhou

Date & Time: Jul 4, 1935
Type of aircraft:
Junkers W.34
Operator:
Registration:
I
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Xi’an – Lanzhou
MSN:
2738
YOM:
1933
Location:
Lanzhou
Gansu
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Approaching the destination, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. The pilot attempted an emergency landing near Lanzhou. All nine occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Junkers W.33c in Lanzhou

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1932
Type of aircraft:
Junkers W.33
Operator:
Registration:
I
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Lanzhou - Lanzhou
MSN:
2545
YOM:
1931
Location:
Lanzhou
Gansu
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a local flight in the area of Lanzhou to test new mail routes. The accident occurred in unknown circumstances. The airplane was destroyed and both occupants were injured.

Crash of a Junkers W.33d in Lanzhou

Date & Time: Jul 2, 1931
Type of aircraft:
Junkers W.33
Operator:
Registration:
II
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Nankin – Lanzhou
MSN:
2560
YOM:
1930
Location:
Lanzhou
Gansu
Country:
China
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
It is believed that the crew was forced to make an emergency landing while approaching Lanzhou. The mechanic was injured and the pilot escaped unhurt. Other source reports that the aircraft was shot down over Mongolia - China border.
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