Ust-Kulom | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Few minutes after takeoff from Ust-Kulom Airport, en route to Syktyvkar, the single engine airplane collided with an Aeroflot PZL-Mielec AN-2TP registered CCCP-40564 that was inbound to Ust-Kulom on a flight from Syktyvkar. While the second airplane was able to land without further incident, the first airplane entered a dive and crashed in a field located 12 km from the airport. All 15 occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was limited due to low clouds.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the collision was the consequence of the following:
- The crew of AN-2 CCCP-01808 failed to follow the departure route and altitude, departure procedures,
- Limited visibility due to low clouds,
- Lack of ATC assistance who failed to transmit suitable information to both crews,
- Late detection of the climbing aircraft by the inbound crew.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 near Syktyvkar: 1 killed

Date & Time: Mar 23, 1977 at 1330 LT

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-92841

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Timsher – Ust-Kulom – Syktyvkar

MSN:

1G52-33

YOM:

1964

Flight number:

SU384

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

12589

Aircraft flight cycles:

20460

Circumstances:

The single engine airplane departed Ust-Kulom Airport at 1228LT bound for Syktyvkar with seven passengers and a crew of two on board, accompanied by a second Aeroflot AN-2 (CCCP-98382) that left at the same time. En route, weather conditions worsened and both crew lost visual contact with each other. Approaching Syktyvkar, the crew was informed about the deterioration of the weather with a limited visibility of 1,500 - 2,500 meters in snow. Few radios communications issues occurred and while descending at a height of 150 meters and making a right turn, the pilot saw the second AN-2 and made a sharp turn to avoid collision when control was lost. The airplane crashed on the icy Vychegda River, about 13 km from the Syktyvkar main Station. While the aircraft was destroyed, all nine occupants were injured. About four days later, one of the passengers died from his injuries.

Probable cause:

The main cause of the accident was the dangerous convergence of the aircraft due to the extremely irresponsible attitude of the management and dispatching personnel of the Syktyvkar ATC service to fulfill published procedures related to the organization and the control of the aircraft in deteriorated weather conditions.