Region
Asia

Crash of an Antonov AN-24B in Nizhnevartovsk: 24 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1969 at 1727 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-24
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-47772
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tyumen – Surgut – Nizhnevartovsk
MSN:
79901405
YOM:
1967
Flight number:
SU227
Location:
Nizhnevartovsk
Khantia-Mansia okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
52
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Aircraft flight hours:
2756
Aircraft flight cycles:
2298
Circumstances:
The crew started the approach to Nizhnevartovsk Airport by night and marginal weather conditions. Due to erroneous calculations, the aircraft was not properly aligned on the approach path and the captain decided to make a go-around. Six minutes later, he initiated a second approach. On short final, ATC asked the pilot if he has the runway in sight. As the answer was positive, the crew was cleared to land. Less than a minute later, the airplane struck tree tops, stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area located 1,092 meters short of runway threshold. 32 occupants were injured while 24 others were killed, among them the copilot and a flight attendant.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the propellers went inadvertently into reverse when the crew activated the engine de-icing system. It was later discovered during investigations that there was a conception error on this type of aircraft between the de-icing systems and the thrust reversal systems that could activate simultaneously. Nevertheless, when control was lost, the flaps were deployed in an angle of 17° instead of 38° as prescribed, which was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of an Antonov AN-10 in Mirny

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-10
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-11169
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Irkutsk - Mirny
MSN:
9 4 015 01
YOM:
1959
Location:
Mirny
Republic of Yakutia (Sakha)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon landing on a snow covered runway at Mirny Airport, the airplane went out of control, veered off runway and collided with a trench. There were no injuries among the occupant but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The thickness of the snow was 1-2 cm and the crew was not aware of the presence of trench by the runway.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12 at Pskov AFB: 6 killed

Date & Time: Oct 1, 1969
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pskov - Pskov
Location:
Pskov AFB
Pskov oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
While completing a local training mission by night and poor weather conditions, the crew exercised poor judgement regarding the distance with the preceding aircraft when the cockpit base struck the top of the tail of the preceding aircraft. On impact, the tail penetrated the fuselage, killing the captain instantly. In panic, the copilot abandoned the aircraft with his parachute. Out of control, the airplane dove into the ground and crashed, killing all six remaining crew members.
Probable cause:
Crew error.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 off Tiksi: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 26, 1969 at 2027 LT
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-44984
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Borogon – Tiksi
MSN:
1G27-06
YOM:
1963
Flight number:
T-2
Location:
Tiksi
Republic of Yakutia (Sakha)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
5515
Aircraft flight cycles:
3918
Circumstances:
On final approach to Tiksi by night and poor weather conditions, while at an altitude of 300 meters and a speed of 150 km/h, the engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed into the Tiksi bay, some 2.5 km from the runway threshold. A passenger was rescued while five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The engine failed on approach to Tiksi Airport due to the failure of exhaust valves, pistons and cylinders. It was also determined that the cylinder head temperature decreased on final approach and that the carburetor was iced, causing the engine to lose power and the aircraft to suffer a reduction of aerodynamic performances.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18V in Yakutsk

Date & Time: Sep 10, 1969 at 1525 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-18
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75791
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Krasnoyarsk – Yakutsk
MSN:
181 0040 05
YOM:
1961
Flight number:
SU093
Location:
Yakutsk-Intl (Platon Oyunsky)
Republic of Yakutia (Sakha)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Krasnoyarsk, the four engine aircraft landed at Yakutsk Airport. After touchdown, following a course of some 250 meters, the airplane collided with an ambulance that was crossing the main runway. Upon impact, the ambulance was totally destroyed and its three occupants were seriously injured. The airplane continued for dozen yards before coming to rest. None of the occupants were injured but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the ambulance's driver decided to cross the runway without prior permission from tower.

Ground accident of an Antonov AN-12B in Amderma: 5 killed

Date & Time: Sep 8, 1969 at 2147 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-11377
Flight Phase:
Taxiing
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Moscow – Amderma – Norilsk
MSN:
4 024 07
YOM:
1964
Location:
Amderma
Nenets Autonomous Okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
6471
Aircraft flight cycles:
2122
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Moscow to Norilsk with an intermediate stop in Amderma, carrying a load of eggs for a total weight of 9,108 kilos. Following a uneventful stopover, the crew was cleared to taxi to join the holding point for takeoff. At the same time, a Soviet Air Force Tupolev TU-128 landed when the right main gear collapsed on touchdown. The Tupolev veered off runway and collided with the Antonov that was 125 meters from the main runway, causing both aircraft to burst into flames. Both aircraft were destroyed and both pilots of the Tupolev were killed as well as five crew members on board the Antonov.
Probable cause:
Failure of the right main gear of a TU-128 upon landing that caused the aircraft to veer off runway and to collide with the taxiing Antonov.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-14M near Egvekinot: 22 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 1969 at 1305 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-14
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-61731
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Anadyr – Egvekinot
MSN:
14600 02 05
YOM:
1956
Flight number:
SU055
Location:
Egvekinot
Chukotka okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
22
Aircraft flight hours:
22964
Aircraft flight cycles:
14302
Circumstances:
The crew left Anadyr Airport at 0919LT bound for Egvekinot but five minutes later, encountered poor weather conditions and decided to return for a safe landing. He left again Anadyr at 1213LT in better conditions. However, while approaching Egvekinot, the pilot encountered poor visibility due to low clouds and was unable to distinguish the mountainous terrain. While descending to a height of 235 meters, the aircraft deviated from the prescribed approach path and hit the slope of Mt Dumka, passed over the top and eventually crashed in flames on the opposite slope. SAR operations were conducted and the wreckage was localised a day later. Five passengers were seriously injured while 22 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The captain took the decision to continue the approach below the minimum safe altitude of 300 meters despite the visibility was low due to poor weather conditions and that he did not have any visual contact with ground. The main approach radio beacon was out of order while the reserve one was running improperly, which was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18B in Moscow: 16 killed

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1969 at 2031 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-18
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75708
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Sochi - Moscow - Norilsk
MSN:
189 0017 05
YOM:
1959
Flight number:
SU1770
Location:
Moscow-Vnukovo
Moscow oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
94
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Aircraft flight hours:
12023
Aircraft flight cycles:
4367
Circumstances:
On final approach to Moscow-Vnukovo, the flying crew was not concentrated and failed to lower the landing gear. The aircraft belly landed and slid for dozen yards before coming to rest in flames. Forty people were uninjured, 46 were wounded and 16 passengers were killed after the aircraft caught fire due to hydraulic leak and an electrical short-circuit in the cargo compartment.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew failed to follow the approach checklist and forgot to lower the undercarriage. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Several propeller blades detached while contacting the runway surface, causing severe damage to the fuselage,
- A fire erupted following an electrical short-circuit in the cargo hold combined with a hydraulic leak,
- Lack of coordination on part of the cabin crew who failed to follow the safety and evacuation procedures,
- Lack of efficiency and assistance on part of the ground firefighters who arrived on the scene 15-20 minutes after the accident.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 near Khovu-Aksy: 14 killed

Date & Time: Aug 26, 1969 at 0945 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-41971
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Kyzyl – Khovu-Aksy
MSN:
1 33 473 11
YOM:
1953
Flight number:
SU545
Location:
Khovu-Aksy
Republic of Tuva
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Aircraft flight hours:
14362
Aircraft flight cycles:
16547
Circumstances:
On a flight Kyzyl to Khovu-Aksy, the crew encountered below-minima weather conditions with low clouds over the mountains. The captain took the decision to continue into the clouds when the airplane struck at a speed of 200 km/h and a height of 1,940 metres the wooded slope of a mountain (2,591 metres) located 13 km south of Khovu-Aksy. The wreckage was found a day later and all 14 occupants have been killed.
Probable cause:
The crew took the decision to continue into clouds without any visual contact with the ground or obstacles. Controlled flight into terrain. Weather conditions were considered as worse than predicted.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12B in Novosibirsk: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1969 at 2054 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-11018
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Mys Schmidta – Chokurdakh – Tiksi – Novosibirsk
MSN:
6 3 441 09
YOM:
1966
Flight number:
SU5134
Location:
Novosibirsk-Tolmachevo
Novosibirsk oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
3172
Aircraft flight cycles:
1202
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Mys Schmidta to Novosibirsk with intermediate stops in Chokurdakh and Tiksi, carrying a load of 9,9 tons of various equipments. After takeoff from Tiksi, the engine n°4 failed. The captain decided to continue on three engines to Novosibirsk as a landing at Tiksi Airport was not possible due to poor weather conditions. Following an uneventful flight, the crew started the descent to Tolmachevo Airport when all three remaining engines lost power. The airplane lost height, struck trees and crashed in a wooded area located 13 km from the airfield. Four crew members were killed while two others were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the fuel was contaminated with salt water (sea water) which also caused a serious corrosion of the fuel supply system.
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