Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

On a positioning flight from Chelyabinsk to Magnitogorsk, the crew encountered below-minima weather conditions (heavy snow falls and limited visibility). While cruising at an altitude of 300 meters, the pilot lost control of the aircraft that crashed in a snow-covered field located near Tokmasskiy, some 18 km northeast of Uyskoye. The wreckage was found 6 km off course and both pilots were killed.

Probable cause:

Loss of control after the pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-124V near Kilpyavr AFB: 11 killed

Date & Time: Jan 29, 1970 at 1927 LT

Type of aircraft:

Tupolev TU-124

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-45083

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Leningrad - Murmansk

MSN:

5 35 17 06

YOM:

1965

Flight number:

SU145

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

7425

Aircraft flight cycles:

5854

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight by night at an assigned altitude of 8,400 meters, the crew was cleared to descent to 2,400 bound for Kilpyavr AFB near Murmansk. While in a 3° nose-down attitude, the airplane struck the snow covered slope of a hill (240 meters high), slid for 624 meters then lost its both engines and wings and came to a halt, broken in two. The wreckage was found 29,5 km from the airport and 8 km to the right of the extended centerline. Eight passengers and three crew members (the captain, the navigator and the flight engineer) were killed while 27 other occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the pilot-in-command started the descent prematurely, causing the aircraft to descend below the minimum prescribed altitude. The lack of visibility caused by night and the absence of any visual reference points on the ground did not allow the crew to know his exact position and to distinguish the ground obstacles. ATC allowed the crew to perform a straight-in approach with radar control. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Absence of an established approach procedure,
- Intermittent loss of VHF communications during the approach procedure,
- The relative inexperience of the flying crew with less than 500 flying hours on this type of aircraft.

Crash of an Antonov AN-24B near Batagay: 34 killed

Date & Time: Jan 28, 1970 at 2053 LT

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-24

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-47701

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Chokurdakh - Batagay

MSN:

59900202

YOM:

1965

Location:

Batagay

Republic of Yakutia (Sakha)

Country:

Russia

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight, the crew was cleared to descent to 2,700 meters and received all information related to the destination airport. Shortly later, the crew informed ATC about their ETA in eight minutes. As the pilot has the runway in sight, he was cleared to descend to 600 meters. While cruising at an altitude of 1,020 meters at a speed of 350 km/h in a 7° nose-down attitude and a 3° left bank, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain (1,081 meters high) located 40 km from the airport. The airplane disintegrated on impact and all 34 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the ground collision was the consequence of a premature descent on part of the pilot-in-command who continued the approach below the minimum safe altitude. The lack of visibility caused by night and the lack of assistance on part of ATC were considered as contributing factors.

Crash of an Avia 14P off Makhachkala: 17 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1969 at 1833 LT

Type of aircraft:

Avia 14

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-52010

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Makhachkala - Astrakhan

MSN:

023 703 101

YOM:

1957

Flight number:

SU2953

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

20481

Aircraft flight cycles:

18670

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Makhachkala Airport at 1829LT and climbed over the sea. Less than two minutes later, the crew was cleared to climb to 2,100 meters when the pilot reported to ATC the presence of clouds over the sea that were not mentioned in the weather bulletin transmitted to him prior to the flight. Suddenly, the aircraft nosed down and plunged into the sea about 3,5 km offshore. The wreckage was found in a depth of 10 meters and all 17 occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that, at an altitude of 400 meters while climbing, the airplane struck a flock of migratory birds that struck the windshield that broke instantly, killing both pilots. It was reported that many birds were migrating in this region, at any time during this period of the year.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Lunino: 3 killed

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1969 at 1035 LT

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-35083

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Positioning

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Penza - Kazan

MSN:

1G111-09

YOM:

1969

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

Aircraft flight cycles:

Circumstances:

A first AN-2 registered CCCP-35082 departed Penza Airport at 1012LT on a positioning flight to Kazan. The AN-2 registered CCCP-35083 departed three minutes later on the same routing with one passenger and two pilots on board. For unknown reason, the crew of CCCP-35083 wanted to reach the first crew so they accelerated and joined the first aircraft about 20 minutes later. Due to poor judgement, the engine of CCCP-35083 struck the base of the tail of CCCP-35082. Out of control, it nosed down and crashed inverted in an open field located near Lunino. The airplane was destroyed and all three occupants were killed. The other aircraft was able to land without further problem.

Probable cause:

Poor judgement and wrong actions on part of the flying crew.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12PL in Katanga: 8 killed

Date & Time: Dec 6, 1969 at 0707 LT

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-12

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-11381

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Moscow - Syktyvkar - Katanga - Anadyr

MSN:

4 028 07

YOM:

1964

Flight number:

SU5135

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

4787

Aircraft flight cycles:

1649

Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Moscow to Anadyr with intermediate stops in Syktyvkar and Katanga, carrying a load ot 9,905 kilos of oranges and 384 kilos of mail. Both legs between Moscow-Sheremetyevo, Syktyvkar and Katanga were uneventful. The crew started the approach to Katanga by night and marginal weather conditions (low clouds, snow falls and a visibility of 5 km) when he was cleared to descent to 400 meters. At high speed, flaps and undercarriage raised, the airplane banked left to 20-25° when it struck trees and crashed in flames in a wooded area located 13 km short of runway threshold. No distress call was sent from the crew prior to the accident. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all eight occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the loss of control was the consequence of an excessive accumulation of ice on wings and stabs during an approach by night in severe icing conditions.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Mukachevo: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 25, 1969 at 1059 LT

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-44995

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Uzhgorod – Mukachevo – Irshava – Khust – Bushtina

MSN:

1G27-18

YOM:

Flight number:

SU3841

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

5200

Aircraft flight cycles:

37878

Circumstances:

On the leg from Uzhgorod to Irshava of a flight from Uzhgorod to Bushtyna, the crew decided to pass over Mukachevo Airport without landing and was cleared by ATC. Unfortunately, while approaching Mukachevo, weather conditions worsened with rain falls and a low cloud base. The plane deviated from the prescribed flight path to the left and entered clouds. At an altitude of 420 meters, it struck the slope of a mountain (566 metres) located 6.4 km north of Mukachevo. Both pilots and all 3 passengers were killed.

Probable cause:

The crew was flying under VFR mode in IMC conditions when the airplane struck the mountain.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12TB in Amderma: 12 killed

Date & Time: Nov 13, 1969 at 0233 LT

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-12

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-11376

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Moscow – Amderma – Khatanga – Magadan – Yakutsk

MSN:

4 024 06

YOM:

1964

Flight number:

SU5009

Location:

Amderma

Nenets Autonomous Okrug

Country:

Russia

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

6657

Aircraft flight cycles:

2109

Circumstances:

The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Moscow to Yakutsk with intermediate stops in Amderma, Khatanga and Magadan, carrying a load of fruits (grapes, pears and lemons) for a total weight of 10,776 kilos. Following an uneventful flight from Sheremetyevo Airport, the crew started the approach to Amderma and was cleared to descent to 600 meters. At high speed, flaps and undercarriage retracted, the airplane was on a straight-in approach when it banked left in a 40° angle and crashed in a prairie located 15 km short of runway. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and debris were found scattered on 540 meters long and 180 meters wide. All 12 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the accident may have been caused by an excessive accumulation of ice on wings and stabs. Also, it could be possible that the loss of control was the consequence of a technical problem with the autopilot system.

Emergency landing of an Ilyushin II-18B in Tashkent

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1969

Type of aircraft:

Ilyushin II-18

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-75699

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Sverdlovsk – Tashkent

MSN:

18900 14 02

YOM:

1959

Location:

Tashkent

Tashkent Province (Toshkent viloyati)

Country:

Uzbekistan

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On a flight from Sverdlovsk to Tashkent when the crew committed errors in handling trim tabs and autopilot, the aircraft entered a dive while flying at a height of 8,400 metres. Control was recovered by the crew at a height of some 6,600 metres. The crew managed to land safely, but the aircraft suffered structural damage during the dive with up to 2.7 g forces. Reported at LED 12SEP70 but can this be correct ? SOC 20MAY71 due to its poor technical condition.

Probable cause:

Loss of control caused by a mishandling of the trim tabs and autopilot system on part of the crew.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 in Kazalinsk: 5 killed

Date & Time: Nov 1, 1969 at 1120 LT

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-43847

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Aralsk – Amanutkul – Raym – Oktyabr – Kazalinsk – Frunze – Kaukey – Azhar – Kyzylorda

MSN:

1 67 473 14

YOM:

1956

Flight number:

SU643

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

10570

Circumstances:

The airplane arrived in Kazalinsk at 1020LT and 12 passengers embarked. The aircraft was fully booked and ready for departure when the captain accepted, against retribution, that 12 additional passengers (11 adults and one infant) embarked as well. Some 120 kilos of cargo and 120 kilos of additional baggage were also loaded. After takeoff, while climbing to a height of 200 meters, the airplane adopted a high angle of attack when the tail stalled. Out of control, the airplane crashed 65 meters to the left of the main runway. 25 passengers were injured while one child was killed. A day later, two passengers died from their injuries and two other passengers died few days later. The aircraft was destroyed upon impact.

Probable cause:

The decision of the captain to embark 12 additional passengers was criminal and against all published procedures. Neither the copilot nor the Airport Manager complained about this decision. At the time of the accident, the total weight of the aircraft was 6,484 kilos, some 1,234 kilos above the MTOW, taking into consideration the actual flying conditions. Also, the CofG was far aft and well outside the envelope, which caused the airplane to stall from the tail during initial climb. All additional passengers did not have safety belt.

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