Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R near Polyarny

Date & Time: Nov 10, 2023
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Strizhavia
Registration:
RA-84566
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Pevek - Polyarny
MSN:
1G189-33
YOM:
1980
Location:
Polyarny
Chukotka okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Pevek on a cargo flight to Polyarny, carrying one passenger, two pilots and a load of 150 kg of various goods. Approaching the destination, weather conditions deteriorated. In poor visibility, the airplane crashed in the tundra few km from Polyarny. The wreckage was found few hours later and all three occupants were rescued. The captain was seriously injured, the copilot and the passenger were slightly injured. The airplane was a TR-301 version of the AN-2 without the lower wings. Modification were performed by Tekhnoregion under MSN ТR301.21.004.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-28 in Cape Schmidt

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1995
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-28
Operator:
Chukotavia
Registration:
CCCP-28797
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pevek - Cape Schmidt
MSN:
1AJ006-05
YOM:
1989
Location:
Cape Schmidt
Chukotka okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach to Cape Schmidt, the pilot mistakenly put the engines on idle, causing the aircraft to lose height and to struck the ground 15 metres short of runway. It bounced, landed 20 metres further then lost its right main gear and came to rest 225 metres further. all 10 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The wreckage was still present at Cape Shmidt (N68.87953 W179.37426) by May 2013.
Probable cause:
Loss of control on short final after the pilot mistakenly put the engines on idle.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 near Shalaurov Island: 10 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1989 at 0307 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-26685
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Cape Schmidt - Pevek
MSN:
88 05
YOM:
1979
Location:
Shalaurov Island
Chukotka okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Cape Schmidt on a special flight to Pevek consisting of a survey mission of the ice drifting in the Chukotka Sea. While approaching the coast at a height of 100 meters, the pilot initiated a turn to the right to 270° when the aircraft struck the rocky face of a mountain (145 meters high) overhanging the sea. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 10 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reasons, the crew was approaching the coast at an insufficient altitude. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited so the crew was unable to see and avoid the mountain. It was determined that the turn to 270° was initiated 1,2 km from the coast while this procedure should be completed 10 km away from the coast. In such conditions, impact with the ground was unavoidable.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2T in Pevek

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-02153
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Geographical / Geophysical / Scientific
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
112047308
YOM:
1959
Location:
Pevek
Chukotka okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Pevek Airport, while climbing, the engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed in flames in an open field. There were no casualties but the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
Engine failure during initial climb for unknown reason.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 in Baranikha

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1966 at 0458 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-79943
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Pevek – Baranikha
MSN:
1 169 473 03
YOM:
1962
Location:
Baranikha
Chukotka okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Pevek on a special flight to Baranikha in good weather conditions with high clouds and a visibility of 20 km. While approaching Baranikha, weather conditions deteriorated and the visibility dropped to 5 km due to snow falls. While descending to an altitude of 330 meters, the airplane struck a snow covered hill, causing the left ski to be torn off. The airplane continued for dozen yards and eventually nosed down and came to rest in the snow. Both pilots were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Investigations did no reveal any technical anomalies on the aircraft, the engine or any equipment. It is believed the pilot reduced too much the engine power on approach, causing the airplane to lose speed and height.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Pevek

Date & Time: Dec 3, 1963 at 0733 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-16202
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pevek – Nizhni Kresty – Zyrianka – Pevek
Location:
Pevek
Chukotka okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, at a speed of 130 km/h, the pilot-in-command started the rotation. The airplane climbed few meters but was unable to gain sufficient height and banked right to an angle of 20°. The crew tried to regain control but the airplane was totally unstable. The pilot decided to reduce the power on left engine then on right engine when the airplane crash landed past the runway end. All six crew members were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Poor flight preparation on part of the crew. Prior to departure, the airplane was refuelled but the fuel quantity was too high and the total weight of the aircraft at takeoff was 12,140 kilos, about 640 kilos above the MTOW. Also, it was determined that the cargo shifted in the cabin at liftoff and struck the lateral door, modifying the CofG by 22% and causing the aircraft to be uncontrollable.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 on Mt Karpung

Date & Time: Apr 15, 1962
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-23700
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Palyavam – Pevek
MSN:
1 85 473 15
YOM:
1957
Location:
Mt Karpung
Magadan oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew departed Palyavam at 0744LT on a ferry flight to Pevek. en route, he encountered poor weather conditions and failed to return to Palyavam. The aircraft deviated from the prescribed route along the Palyavam River by 12 km to the north when, in snow falls, it struck the slope of Mt Karpung. Both crew members were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably the consequence of the decision of the crew to continue under VFR mode in IMC conditions (snow falls and low clouds). The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Poor flight preparation,
- Poor flight organization.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 on Mt Karpung: 3 killed

Date & Time: Feb 21, 1962 at 1100 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-47645
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Pevek – Palyavam
MSN:
1 157 473 14
YOM:
1961
Location:
Mt Karpung
Magadan oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
858
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Pevek around 1015LT on a cargo flight to Palyavam, carrying one passenger, two pilots and a load of explosive ammonite. The crew of an other AN-2 approaching Palyavam informed ATC it was impossible to land due to poor weather conditions and decided to return to Pevek. ATC tried to contact CCCP-47645 but without success. As the airplane was declared missing, SAR operations were conducted. Five days later, on February 26, the wreckage was found at an altitude of 450 meters on the slope of Mt Karpung (906 meters high) located about 140 km southeast of Pevek, 20 km south of the initial route. The aircraft was destroyed and all three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was probably the consequence of the decision of the crew to continue under VFR mode in IMC conditions (low clouds). The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Poor flight preparation,
- Poor flight organization,
- Lack of ATC assistance,
- Improper weather forecast.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Cape Shelagsky: 7 killed

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1959 at 1940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-04242
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Nizhniye Kresty – Pevek
MSN:
184 399 09
YOM:
1951
Location:
Cape Shelagsky
Chukotka okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On a flight from Nizhniye Kresty (now Cherski) to Pevek on a survey flight of the icy continent, the copilot decided to cut the route short when the captain was in the passenger cabin and overflew Cape Shelagski (469 meters). On approach to the cape, the aircraft was caught by strong downdraft and eventually struck the hill with the lower fuselage, was thrown up into the air again and eventually crashed into a large boulder and caught fire. Three crew members were rescued while seven others occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Wrong decision on part of the copilot who decided to modify the route without referring to the captain and against all published procedures.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 near Seymchan: 5 killed

Date & Time: Aug 13, 1950 at 1050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-H955
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Pevek – Zyrianka
MSN:
5908
YOM:
30
Location:
Seymchan
Magadan oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
706
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight from Pevek to Zyrianka, carrying a crankshaft and others spare parts for an LM-3 locomotive for a total weight of 1,000 kilos. The airplane left Pevek at 0410LT bound for Zyrianka but upon arrival, the crew was informed by ground that the airport was closed to traffic and has to divert to Seymchan Airport. The pilot modified his route to Seymchan but did not receive any information about weather conditions at destination. After continuing at an altitude of 3,300 meters, the crew encountered poor weather upon arrival in Seymchan and was unable to locate the airport. After an unsuccessful attempt to land, the crew continued to the north and was eventually forced to make an emergency landing as the aircraft was short of fuel. The airplane crashed in a rocky canyon located 72 km northwest of Seymchan and was destroyed upon impact. All five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the combination of the following factors:
- The visibility was less than 100 meters at the time of the accident due to snow falls,
- The copilot was inexperienced,
- Wrong decision in diverting the aircraft to Seymchan without knowing the weather conditions at destination (uncertain situation),
- The total rest time of the crew was insufficient,
- Lack of assistance by ground services upon arrival in Seymchan,
- Wrong decision on part of the Zyrianka Airport Authorities which decided to close the airfield to all trafic because the runway was flooded. Investigations revealed that this was not the case and this decision was taken in rush. When the aircraft approached Zyrianka, the airfield was practicable with a 1,000 meters long runway.
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