Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in the Azov Sea: 6 killed

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1989
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Bagerovo AFB - Bagerovo AFB
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
On a test flight from Bagerovo Airbase at night when a bird collided with the aircraft, smashing the cockpit windshield while the aircraft was flying at low height over the Sea of Azov. Pilot was disabled, aircraft descended and crashed into Kazantip Bay near cape Chagany. All 6 crew were killed.
Probable cause:
Bird strike.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Kherson

Date & Time: Oct 15, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-82815
Flight Phase:
MSN:
1G166-47
YOM:
1976
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed during an unauthorized takeoff. Occupant's fate unknown.

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

Date & Time: Aug 12, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-35677
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1G134-41
YOM:
1972
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Nine minutes after takeoff, while in cruising altitude, the engine failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a pasture. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the engine failure was the consequence of a mismanagement of fuel on part of the crew who positioned the fuel selector on the left main tank that was empty.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Crimea

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-82842
Flight Phase:
MSN:
1G167-56
YOM:
1976
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed somewhere in Crimea after the pilot suffered a spatial disorientation. Occupant's fate unknown.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2TP in Aleksandriya

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1988 at 1417 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-32267
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Rovno - Vladimirets
MSN:
1G96-29
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
13
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the flight preparation, none of the people involved (meteo, operations) informed the crew about the possible degradation of weather conditions en route. The single engine aircraft departed Rovno Airport at 1407LT bound for Vladimirets, carrying 13 passengers and two pilots. Two minutes after takeoff, the crew was informed by ATC about the arrival of a cold front with turbulences and rain about 10 km ahead. The crew failed to respond to this alert message and continued. Eight minutes later, while flying at low height in heavy rain falls, the engine failed. The aircraft lost height, struck tree tops and crashed in a forest. All 15 occupants were injured and the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Poor flight preparation on part of the crew as well as meteo and operations and failure of the pilot to return when weather conditions worsened. It was determined that the engine failed after an excessive amount of rainwater entered the engine compartment through the hoods that were not closed in a timely manner.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Voroshilovgrad: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 21, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-31498
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Voroshilovgrad - Voroshilovgrad
MSN:
1G199-07
YOM:
1983
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The captain allowed three passengers to board the aircraft despite the fact this was prohibited by the company. He asked the copilot to seat in the main cabin and the passengers took place in the cockpit. After takeoff, while flying at low height, he initiated a left turn when the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a wooded area, bursting into flames. A pilot and a passenger were killed while three other occupants were injured.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Mykolaiv

Date & Time: Feb 26, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-40802
Flight Phase:
MSN:
1G173-29
YOM:
1977
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff, while climbing to a height of 40 meters, the engine failed. The airplane stalled and crashed. The occupant's fate remains unknown.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Apollonovka: 2 killed

Date & Time: Oct 24, 1987 at 1648 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-35330
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Apollonovka - Apollonovka
MSN:
1G134-23
YOM:
1972
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
10075
Aircraft flight cycles:
53359
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a spraying mission on behalf of the Zarya State Farm. While flying at a height of 18-20 meters and at a speed of 160 km/h, the aircraft entered a right turn, lost altitude, struck tree tops and power cables then crashed onto a house. Both pilots were killed while no one on the ground was hurt.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the loss of control occurred when the crew got distracted from operations due to a momentarily engine malfunction caused by a poor fuel quality.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Alisovo

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1987
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-70496
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
1G144-07
YOM:
1973
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
En route, the aircraft collided with a bird that got stuck in the engine air intake, causing the engine to fail. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a pasture. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. The accident occurred in Alisovo, Ukraine (a village called Alisovo is located in the Kursk oblast, Russia, but no Alisovo in Ukraine).
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight after a bird got stuck in the air intake.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Berdyansk: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 19, 1987 at 1122 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-87826
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Odessa - Berdyansk
MSN:
9 24 18 24
YOM:
1972
Flight number:
SU528N
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Odessa, the crew started the approach and was cleared to descend to 1,200 meters. On final, weather conditions deteriorated with thunderstorm activity and heavy rain falls. Despite a limited visibility and the actual conditions, ATC cleared the aircraft to continue the approach and to land. The three engine aircraft passed over the threshold at a height of 40-50 meters and at an excessive speed of about 250 km/h. The aircraft landed too far down the runway and after touchdown on a wet surface, the crew started the braking maneuver but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, rolled about 450 meters then struck two trees, crossed a road and came to rest in a field, bursting into flames. Two crew members and six passengers were killed while 21 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were below Airport minimums.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- The crew decided to continue the approach in below minimum weather conditions at an excessive speed and above the glide, causing the aircraft to land too far down the runway,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure,
- ATC cleared the crew to land and failed to close the airport and to divert the flight to another suitable airport,
- Poor organization by Meteo services.