Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Kazan: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1953 at 2037 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L4582
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Leningrad – Moscow – Kazan – Sverdlovsk
MSN:
184 304 04
YOM:
1951
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
3705
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a cargo flight from Leningrad to Sverdlovsk with intermediate stops in Moscow-Bykovo Airport and Kazan, with a load of six brass panels weighing 155 kilos each and a batch of capacitors. The descent to Kazan was started by night and poor weather conditions with heavy snow falls, reducing the visibility down to zero. The crew obtained the permission to descent to 1,800, 1,200 and 600 meters and was unable to locate the runway. Guided by ATC, the aircraft descended to the altitude of 150 meters when the aircraft hit with its left engine the empennage of an Aeroflot Ilyushin II-12. Registered CCCP-L1435, this second aircraft was performing the cargo flight number SU022 from Novosibirsk to Moscow with an intermediate stop in Kazan, carrying a crew of six and a load of wire coils, electric engines and radio components. Following the collision, both aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a snow covered field located three km southwest of the airport. Both aircraft were destroyed and all eleven crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the collision was the result of a series of omissions on part of the ATC based at Kazan Airport who failed to coordinate properly the radar coverage and failed to assist the crew adequately. The ATC in charge of the approach instructed the crew of the Lisunov to descend to 300 meters instead of the 900 meters as mentioned in the approach procedures. Due to poor weather conditions that reduced the visibility below minimas, it would be more appropriate that ATC postponed the departure of the Ilyushin II-12 or instructed the crew of the Lisunov LI-2 to follow a holding circuit or to divert to another airport. It was confirmed that both flying crew did not bear any responsibilities in this tragedy.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Batagay

Date & Time: Jan 12, 1953 at 1030 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-ZH125
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Batagay – Ozhogino – Zyrianka
MSN:
184 321 10
YOM:
31
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
1664
Circumstances:
Shortly after takeoff from Batagay Airport, while in initial climb, the crew encountered technical problems with both engines. Unable to gain sufficient height, the pilot-in-command attempted an emergency landing near a river located one km from the airfield. The airplane hit trees, crash landed, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in a wooded area. While all five crew members were uninjured, the airplane was written off.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew failed to prepare the flight properly and hurried the departure. With an OAT of -48° C., the oil was not sufficiently warm and this caused the engine to run improperly after rotation, with propellers blocked in an angle between 20° and 30°, causing drag and impeding the plane to gain sufficient altitude. In such conditions, an emergency landing was unavoidable.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2T near Yeniseysk: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1952 at 1752 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L4661
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dudinka – Yeniseysk – Krasnoyarsk
MSN:
46 01
YOM:
11
Flight number:
SU688
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
14
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Aircraft flight hours:
2670
Circumstances:
The airplane left Yeniseysk Airport at 1655LT bound for Krasnoyarsk. Thirty minutes later, while cruising at an altitude of 1,800 meters by night and in good weather conditions, the crew encountered technical problems with the left propeller that was over speeding. For unknown reason, the crew was unable to feather the propeller and took the decision to return to Yeniseysk. Due to drag, the aircraft lost height and thirty minutes later, at a speed of 130 km/h, it hit tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located 25 km south of Yeniseysk Airport. Three passengers were killed while 16 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Failure of the pressure switch on the left-hand drive regulator in flight, which caused the propeller to overspeed. A contributory factor was the crew who failed to set the nominal mode of operation on the right engine immediately after the start of the descent, using full power on the right engine with delay, which caused the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly. Despite good visibility due to moonlight, the crew failed to attempt an emergency belly landing in a suitable terrain.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Nizhniye Kresty

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1952 at 0153 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-H1011
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Pevek – Nizhniye Kresty – Magadan
MSN:
234 413 07
YOM:
1952
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Pevek to Magadan with an intermediate stop in Nizhniye Kresty on behalf of the Soviet Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD – Ministerstvo Vnutrennick Del). The takeoff from Nizhniye Kresty Airport was attempted by night and on a runway covered with light snow. After rotation, while in initial climb, the airplane banked left and the left wing just passed over a parked AN-2. The aircraft then turn to the right and crashed on a mound. All four crew members were evacuated safely and the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The aircraft stalled during initial climb due to an insufficient takeoff speed that was the result of a wrong departure configuration on part of the flying crew. The reaction of the pilot-in-command at stall was incorrect, which was considered as a contributory factor.

Crash of a Douglas TS-62 in Skvoritsy: 7 killed

Date & Time: Oct 5, 1952 at 1602 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1055
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Leningrad – Minsk
MSN:
16973/34233
YOM:
1945
Flight number:
SU381
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Aircraft flight hours:
4042
Circumstances:
The TS-62 took off from Leningrad-Shosseynaya Airport and its crew received the permission to climb to the altitude of 2,700 meters via the corridor number two. While climbing into clouds, the airplane collided with an Aeroflot Ilyushin II-12 that was approaching the same Airport. Inbound from Minsk, the II-12 was registered CCCP-L1328 and was carrying 19 passengers and a crew of five. Its pilot obtained the permission from ATC to descend to the altitude of 1,200 meters via the same corridor number two. At the altitude of 1,200 meters, both aircraft collided, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located near the village of Skvoritsy, about 23 km southwest of Leningrad-Shosseynaya Airport. Both wreckage were found 1,200 meters from each other and all 31 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the collision was caused by an error on part of the ATC services. Despite the fact that both aircraft were tracked on radar screens, ATC based at Leningrad-Shosseïnaya Airport failed to take appropriate actions to ensure a minimum safe separation between both airplanes and failed to realize that they were flying in the same corridor in an opposite direction and at the same altitude. Investigations revealed that the collision was the result of successive errors on part of the ATC who failed to ensure an efficient radar surveillance and transmitted to both crews inappropriate instructions that led both aircraft on the same track.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12 in Skvoritsy: 24 killed

Date & Time: Oct 5, 1952 at 1602 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1328
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Minsk – Leningrad
MSN:
30 054
YOM:
30
Flight number:
SU376
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
19
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Aircraft flight hours:
2283
Circumstances:
The crew was approaching Leningrad-Shosseynaya Airport and obtained the permission by ATC to descend to the altitude of 1,200 meters via corridor number two. While flying into clouds, the airplane collided with an Aeroflot Douglas TS-62 registered CCCP-L1055 that was performing flight SU381 to Minsk with seven people on board. It just took off from the same airport and its crew received the permission to climb to the altitude of 2,700 meters via the same corridor number two. At the altitude of 1,200 meters, both aircraft collided, dove into the ground and crashed in a field located near the village of Skvoritsy, about 23 km southwest of Leningrad-Shosseynaya Airport. Both wreckage were found 1,200 meters from each other and all 31 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the collision was caused by an error on part of the ATC services. Despite the fact that both aircraft were tracked on radar screens, ATC based at Leningrad-Shosseïnaya Airport failed to take appropriate actions to ensure a minimum safe separation between both airplanes and failed to realize that they were flying in the same corridor in an opposite direction and at the same altitude. Investigations revealed that the collision was the result of successive errors on part of the ATC who failed to ensure an efficient radar surveillance and transmitted to both crews inappropriate instructions that led both aircraft on the same track.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 near Ust-Tareya: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1952 at 1045 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-N591
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
MSN:
1 24 473 07
YOM:
1952
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Aircraft flight hours:
200
Circumstances:
The single engine aircraft left Ust-Tareya Airport at 1025LT bound for a remote airfield located on an island on the Piasyna River, about 35 km from Ust-Tareya, carrying two passengers (among them a doctor) and four crew members. Upon arrival, the pilot (M. N. Tomilin) decided not to land on the airfield but close to the buildings of the GGU geological expedition. Due to strong cross winds and the difficulties of the terrain, he was unable to land and was forced to make a go around. After three unsuccessful attempts to land, he elected to go around again when the aircraft, with full flaps extended, encountered gusty winds and lost speed. The left wing stalled and the aircraft crashed in flames, killing all six occupants.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration and poor flight organization. The following factors were pointed out:
- Lack of discipline on part of the pilot-in-command who attempted to land in difficult conditions on an unprepared terrain while an existing airfield was close to his position,
- Wrong piloting techniques when the pilot-in-command elected to make a go around with full flaps extended,
- Insufficient speed which contributed, with strong winds, to the stall of the aircraft.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 near Belogorsk: 7 killed

Date & Time: Sep 28, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L4673
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Khabarovsk – Krasnoyarsk – Novosibirsk – Tashkent
MSN:
66 05
YOM:
1949
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a flight from Khabarovsk to Tashkent with intermediate stops in Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk, carrying a crew of six and one passenger, a Soviet Army Officer. The airplane left Krasnoyarsk Airport at 1822LT bound for Novosibirsk. En route, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with low clouds and rain falls. While cruising at an altitude of 1,500 meters in the clouds, the crew encountered icing conditions and obtained the permission to descend to 900 meters. As the aircraft failed to arrive in Novosibirsk, SAR operations were conducted but eventually suspended few days later as no trace of the aircraft nor the seven occupants was found. The wreckage was found 15 years later, in 1967, on the northwestern slope of Mt Kuznetsky Alatau (1,037 meters high) located in the region of Belogorsk. According to investigations, it appears the aircraft hit tree tops, flew about 70 meters and crashed in flames in a wooded area at an altitude of 710 meters. The airplane disintegrated on impact and was consumed by a post crash fire. All seven occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident occurred when the crew was attempting an emergency landing due to severe icing conditions.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 near Khandyga: 4 killed

Date & Time: May 3, 1952 at 0814 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L4602
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Yakutsk – Khandyga – Allaikha
MSN:
46 07
YOM:
0
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
4
Aircraft flight hours:
2284
Circumstances:
On the leg from Yakutsk to Khandyga of a cargo flight from Yakutsk to Allaikha when the favorable weather forecast turned out not to be in line with reality. The aircraft deviated from the prescribed flight path due to strong winds, entered clouds and crashed at a height of some 1,200 metres into the northwestern slope of the first mountain of the Verkhoyanski khrebet ridge located some 95 km northwest of Khandyga and fell down into a ravine about 120 meters further on. All 4 crew were killed. The wreckage was found eight days later, on 11 of May.
Probable cause:
The weather report transmitted to the crew before departure did not reflect the reality and the weather conditions were worse than predicted. Nevertheless, the crew failed to demonstrate discipline and mismanaged the flight properly and according to the published procedures.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-12 in Novosibirsk: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 25, 1952
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1312
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Novosibirsk - Novosibirsk
MSN:
30018
YOM:
14
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Aircraft flight hours:
1923
Circumstances:
The crew left Novosibirsk-Severny Airport at 1400LT for a local training flight. At that time, weather conditions were poor with overcast at 200 meters, rain showers, visibility less than three km and icing conditions in clouds. While flying into the clouds at an altitude estimated between 1,200 and 1,250 meters with the left engine inoperative, the pilot-in-command lost control of the airplane that turned to the left, dove into the ground and crashed in flames few km from the airport. A crew member was injured while eight other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it was reported that the left engine was inoperative at impact and that the propeller was feathered, a configuration apparently intended by the crew and part of the training program.