Crash of a Tupolev TU-134 into the Ikchinskoye Reservoir

Date & Time: Jul 17, 1972 at 1827 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-134
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65607
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Moscow - Moscow
MSN:
6 35 01 04
YOM:
1966
Location:
Ikshinskoye Reservoir
Moscow oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport on a local test flight in which he had to turn off all generators in order to know the maximum life of batteries. On approach, while completing a turn at an altitude of 400 meters, both engines failed simultaneously. The crew elected to restart the engine but without success so the captain elected to ditch the aircraft into the Ikshinskoye Reservoir (Moscow Canal) located 18 km north of Sheremetyevo Airport. The aircraft was partially submerged but recovered and all five crew members escaped uninjured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that both engines failed because during the test, all electrical systems were out of order. The crew forgot that the fuel transfer system was unserviceable as well and that the fuel should be transferred manually. Such situation forced the crew to ditch the aircraft.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12TB in Amderma: 12 killed

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1969 at 0233 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-11376
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Moscow – Amderma – Khatanga – Magadan – Yakutsk
MSN:
4 024 06
YOM:
1964
Flight number:
SU5009
Location:
Amderma
Nenets Autonomous Okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
12
Aircraft flight hours:
6657
Aircraft flight cycles:
2109
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Moscow to Yakutsk with intermediate stops in Amderma, Khatanga and Magadan, carrying a load of fruits (grapes, pears and lemons) for a total weight of 10,776 kilos. Following an uneventful flight from Sheremetyevo Airport, the crew started the approach to Amderma and was cleared to descent to 600 meters. At high speed, flaps and undercarriage retracted, the airplane was on a straight-in approach when it banked left in a 40° angle and crashed in a prairie located 15 km short of runway. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and debris were found scattered on 540 meters long and 180 meters wide. All 12 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the accident may have been caused by an excessive accumulation of ice on wings and stabs. Also, it could be possible that the loss of control was the consequence of a technical problem with the autopilot system.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-114D in Moscow: 21 killed

Date & Time: Feb 16, 1966 at 0138 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-114
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-76491
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Moscow – Conakry – Brazzaville
MSN:
64 M 4 7 2
YOM:
1964
Flight number:
SU065
Location:
Moscow-Sheremetyevo
Moscow oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
19
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
47
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
21
Aircraft flight hours:
93
Aircraft flight cycles:
19
Circumstances:
The departure from Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport to Conakry and Brazzaville was attempted by night and poor weather conditions. After a course of 1,400 meters, at a speed of 260 km/h, the captain pull up the control column and started the rotation, causing the nose gear to leave the ground. Few seconds later, after a course of 1,850 meters, in a limited visibility, while at a speed of 275 km/h, the left main gear struck a snow wall 60 cm high. Rather than interrupt the takeoff, the captain continued when control was lost. The airplane veered off runway to the right and crashed in flames. Thirteen crew members and eight passengers were killed while 45 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew decided to attempt to takeoff with a visibility limited to 1,000 meters due to fog and snow, which was well below the minima. In such conditions, the aircraft was not properly aligned on the runway centerline, causing the left main gear to struck a snow wall. Investigators believe that Sheremetyevo Airport officials also bear some responsibilities for the accident because they failed to take the appropriate actions to ensure that the runway was properly cleared of snow. At the time of the accident, most elements of the lighting system fitted to both sides of the runway were covered with snow and therefore did not constitute pilot assistance.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V in Belgrade: 33 killed

Date & Time: Oct 19, 1964 at 1135 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-18
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75668
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Moscow – Belgrade
MSN:
183 0057 04
YOM:
1963
Location:
Belgrade-Nikola Tesla (ex Surčin)
Belgrade City District
Country:
Serbia
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
33
Circumstances:
While descending to Belgrade-Surcin Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. On final, ATC informed the pilot his altitude was insufficient and that he was approaching below the glide. In foggy conditions, the airplane struck trees and crashed in flames in a dense wooded area located on the slope of Mt Avala (520 meters high) located about 20 km from the runway 30 threshold. The wreckage was found about 35 meters below the summit and all 33 occupants were killed. Among the victims were Marshall Sergei S. Biryuzov and General Vladimir I. Zhdanov accompanied by 15 WWII Veterans who were flying to Belgrade to take part to the celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the offensive of the city of Belgrade by the Soviet Army on 20 October 1944. Following the accident, all celebrations were cancelled.
Probable cause:
The crew continued the approach at an insufficient altitude, maybe due to an altimeter misreading or malfunction. At the time of the accident, the visibility was reduced due to fog and the weather conditions were poor due to rain falls and cross winds up to 25 knots.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V near Urakhcha: 67 killed

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1963 at 0430 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-18
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75866
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Moscow – Krasnoyarsk
MSN:
183 0059 01
YOM:
1963
Flight number:
SU025
Location:
Urakhcha
Republic of Tatarstan
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
59
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
67
Aircraft flight hours:
154
Aircraft flight cycles:
68
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 7,500 meters, the engine number four failed. Unable to determine which of the right engine failed, the crew shot down both engines and feathered both propellers. Control was lost and the airplane banked right and entered a dive. The aircraft reached a rate of descent of 1,800 meters per minute (30 meters per second). The ailerons were sheared off and after passing through the last cloud layer at an altitude of 200 meters, the crew elected to regain control but the airplane struck the ground at a speed of 650 km/h and crashed in a snow covered field located 3,5 km southeast of Urakhcha. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and debris were found on 250 meters width and 800 meters long. Both right engines were found 600 meters away from the point of impact and elements of the ailerons were found some 12 km from the crash site. It was determined that both right engines were not running at impact while both left engines were turning at full power. The accident was not survivable.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pitch control mechanism on the engine number four, which caused severe drag and a loss of control.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-104B in Moscow: 11 killed

Date & Time: Oct 25, 1962 at 1033 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-104
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-42495
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Moscow - Moscow
MSN:
0 2 17 03
YOM:
13
Location:
Moscow-Sheremetyevo
Moscow oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
6
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Aircraft flight hours:
1966
Aircraft flight cycles:
881
Circumstances:
The aircraft was involved in a post-maintenance test flight and was carrying six technicians and five crew members. Following a normal takeoff roll of 1,550 - 1,600 meters on runway 25, the pilot completed the rotation and a normal initial climb. Following a distance of 800 meters and once the aircraft reached the altitude of 175 meters, it banked left to an angle of 90°, went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion in a wooded area near the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of an error on part of the technicians who failed to reconnected the rudder control system according to the manufacturer procedures. It was reported that the system was cross-connected by mistake, causing the aircraft to be uncontrollable.

Crash of an Antonov AN-24 in Moscow

Date & Time: Jul 29, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-24
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-46708
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Moscow - Moscow
MSN:
0006
YOM:
1962
Location:
Moscow-Sheremetyevo
Moscow oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport consisting of takeoff and landings in strong cross winds. At takeoff, the right engine was voluntarily shut down. After liftoff, the airplane banked right, causing the right wing to struck the ground. On impact, the wing was sheared off and the airplane crashed in flames 300 meters farther. All eight crew members were injured while the aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Poor flying techniques on part of the crew who decided to take off with one engine off in difficult flight conditions.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-104B near Sofia: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 4, 1962 at 0533 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-104
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-42491
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Sofia – Moscow
MSN:
0 2 16 04
YOM:
26
Location:
Sofia-Vrazhdebna
Sofia Province
Country:
Bulgaria
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
1404
Aircraft flight cycles:
628
Circumstances:
The aircraft was performing a cargo flight from Sofia to Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport, carrying a load of 12,108 kg of cherries and 1,408 kg of strawberries. Shortly after takeoff from runway 09, while climbing to a height of 400 meters, the crew informed ground about the failure of the left engine. The pilot-in-command made a slight turn to the left to 5-6° and shut down the left engine 30 seconds later. The airplane continued heading 095° to the altitude of 800 meters then entered in clouds. The crew informed ATC he was dumping the fuel and returning to the airport for an emergency landing. Shortly later, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located 27 km north of the airport and disintegrated on impact. All five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the failure of the left engine could not be determined with certainty. However, it was reported that the failure occurred at a critical stage of flight and created a complex situation to the crew who was forced to dump the fuel without appropriate assistance from ATC. The lack of radar equipment remains a contributing factor.

Crash of a Vickers 837 Viscount in Moscow: 31 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1960 at 2140 LT
Type of aircraft:
Vickers Viscount
Operator:
Registration:
OE-LAF
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Vienna – Warsaw – Moscow
MSN:
437
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
OS901
Location:
Moscow-Sheremetyevo
Moscow oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
31
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
31
Captain / Total flying hours:
2395
Captain / Total hours on type:
1752.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
2088
Copilot / Total hours on type:
458
Aircraft flight hours:
1272
Aircraft flight cycles:
872
Circumstances:
The approach to Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport was completed by night and in poor weather conditions. After its four turn on approach, the crew continued the descent below the glide when the airplane struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located 11 km short of runway 07. The aircraft was destroyed, five crew members and 26 passengers were killed while six other occupants were seriously injured. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited due to the night, foggy conditions and rain falls.
Probable cause:
The investigations revealed that there were no technical deficiencies in the aircraft itself or a meteorological phenomenon involved in the accident. The Austrian observers participating in the investigation of the accident were of the opinion that the accident was related to altitude measurement, inasmuch as it was apparent from radio communications as well as from the examination of the wreckage that that the crew believed that they were flying at the normal approach altitude. The erroneous altitude measurement may be attributed to:
- A technical deficiency of either of the two altimeters,
- The divergent settings of the altimeters or,
- Omission of altimeter reading or erroneous reading of altimeters.
The internal mechanism of both altimeters was so heavily damaged that it could no longer be ascertained whether, at the time of the accident, the altimeters were functioning accurately. Both altimeters were set to the correct atmospheric pressure but their settings differed, namely the left altimeter was set at QFE 990 millibars and the right altimeter at 1013 millibars, which in view of the prevailing atmospheric pressure conditions, could have corresponded both to QNH and to the standard pressure setting. Such divergent settings are at variance with the usual procedure of Austrian Airlines. The reasons prompting the flight captain to depart from the usual practice could not be ascertained. It was not possible to reach a categorical conclusion as to which of the three causes were responsible for an approach below the minimum flying altitude.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18 in Moscow: 10 killed

Date & Time: May 7, 1958
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-18
Operator:
Registration:
002 red
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Test
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Moscow - Moscow
MSN:
18700 01 04
YOM:
1
Location:
Moscow-Sheremetyevo
Moscow oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Aircraft flight hours:
67
Aircraft flight cycles:
120
Circumstances:
The crew (five engineers and five test pilots) were engaged in a local test flight out from Moscow-Sheremetievo Airport. Few minutes after takeoff, the engine number two failed. As it was not possible to feather the propeller, the airplane lost height and speed. The crew decided to return to Sheremetievo Airport for an emergency landing but on final, the airplane stalled and crashed in flames 4 km short of runway threshold. The airplane was destroyed and all ten occupants were killed. The test flight was performed on behalf of AKDON – Aviatsionnaya Krasnoznamyonnaya Diviziya Osobogo Naznacheniya, a division of the Soviet Army.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was equipped with four Kuznetsov NK-4 engine that were not fitted with a propeller feathering system. When the engine number two failed, as the propeller could not be feathered, this caused high drag and the aircraft lost speed and eventually stalled.
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