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Crash of an Ilyushin II-18 in Bogoroditsk

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-18
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-75672
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Moscow – Sochi
MSN:
189 0009 01
YOM:
1959
Location:
Bogoroditsk
Tula oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
89
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 6,100 meters on a flight from Moscow-Vnukovo Airport to Sochi-Adler Airport, the generator on engine number three failed. Debris punctured a hydraulic line and the fluid caught fire while in contact with high temperature elements of the engine. As the fire extinguishing system failed to work properly, the crew decided to shut down all three other engines and completed a gear up landing in a field. The airplane slid for several yards and came to rest. All 97 occupants were evacuated safely.
Probable cause:
Failure of the generator on engine number 3 for unknown reason. This caused the rupture of a hydraulic line and the fluid caught fire while contacting engine elements. The reason of the dysfunction of the fire extinguishing system remains unknown.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-14G in Chita: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1961 at 0007 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-14
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-61732
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Irkutsk – Chita – Khabarovsk
MSN:
1470 014 31
YOM:
1957
Location:
Chita-Kadala
Zabaykalsky Krai
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
4698
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a cargo flight from Irkutsk to Khabarovsk with an intermediate stop in Chita, carrying a load of brake linings and hoses for a total weight of 3,031 kilos. While approaching Chita-Kadala Airport by night, the airplane was too low, struck trees and crashed on the slope of Mt Cherskogo located 11 km short of runway threshold. The wreckage was found 170 meters below the summit and all five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
For unknown reason, the crew started the descent prematurely and was at an insufficient altitude of 700 meters instead of 1,200 meters when the airplane struck the mountain. Due to the lack of visibility caused by night, the crew was unable to distinguish the mountain. It was also reported that ATC assistance was inappropriate, which was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 near Stepanavan: 16 killed

Date & Time: Apr 24, 1961 at 0918 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-98247
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Yerevan – Stepanavan
MSN:
199 473 10
YOM:
14
Location:
Stepanavan
Lori
Country:
Armenia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
17
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Aircraft flight hours:
2225
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Yerevan-Zvartnots Airport at 0838LT bound for Stepanavan. Weather conditions on the first part of the leg was marginal and poor over the mountains with clouds and rain falls. While cruising at an altitude of 2,320 meters in the clouds, the pilot made a turn to the left when the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located 10 km southwest of Stepanavan Airport. Both pilots and a passenger were injured while all 16 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a poor flight preparation on part of the flying crew and operations of the company, which resulted in the violation of the published procedures as the crew decided to fly in the clouds without any visual references with the ground. Information related to weather conditions and transmitted to the crew did not reflect the truth, which was considered as a contributing factor. It was also reported there were 12 adults and 5 children (aged 3 months to 5 years) on board, which does not comply with the published procedures as the aircraft is certified for 12 passengers only (adults and/or children).

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 in Novoye Akhperdino: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1961 at 0720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-47614
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Spraying (Agricultural)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Novoye Akhperdino - Novoye Akhperdino
MSN:
1155 473 19
YOM:
28
Location:
Novoye Akhperdino
Republic of Chuvashia
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
53
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local crop spraying flight at Novoye Akhperdino, Chuvashia. At 0530LT, he left the local farm and completed three successful missions. While flying at a height of 10 meters after it completed a straight-in path for about 500 meters, the airplane banked left and crashed in a field. The captain was seriously injured and the copilot was killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the captain failed to follow the published procedures and committed several errors in flight, causing the airplane to crash. His lack of experience was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 in Dovyren: 2 killed

Date & Time: Apr 4, 1961 at 0905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-01248
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Nizhneangarsk – Dovyren – Irkana – Nizhneangarsk
MSN:
170 473 13
YOM:
22
Location:
Dovyren
Republic of Buryatia
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
3915
Circumstances:
The crew departed Nizhneangarsk Airport at 0843LT on a cargo flight to Dovyren and Irkana, carrying a load of six diesel drums. Twelve minutes later, the crew reported he was climbing to an altitude of 1,200 meters in good weather conditions. About ten minutes later, the single engine airplane crashed in a mountainous area located 7-10 km from Dovyren. As the aircraft failed to arrive at Dovyren, SAR oeprations were conducted and the wreckage was found a day later. Both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that one of the propeller blades failed in flight and struck and broke the windshield. In low visibility caused by snow falls, the crew was unable to attempt an emergency landing as he was flying over a mountainous area. The failure of the propeller blade was caused by a faulty manufacture.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Ufa: 2 killed

Date & Time: Mar 17, 1961 at 1607 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-54783
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kazan – Ufa – Chelyabinsk – Omsk – Novosibirsk – Tomsk
MSN:
3 34 447 06
YOM:
1949
Flight number:
SU747
Location:
Ufa
Republic of Bashkortostan
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
The takeoff from Ufa Airport was completing in marginal weather conditions and the airplane was unable to gain sufficient speed. Despite the situation, the captain decided to rotate and immediately after liftoff, the aircraft adopted a high angle of attack, causing the base of the tail to struck the ground. The aircraft bounced several times then crash landed, overran and came to rest in a garden located 290 meters past the runway end and 220 meters to the left of the extended centerline. The aircraft was destroyed and all four crew members were seriously injured. Five hours after the crash, the captain died from his injuries and 38 hours later, the radio operator died.
Probable cause:
Poor flight preparation on part of the crew who decided to takeoff with a contaminated aircraft. At the time of the accident, the wings, stabs and tail were recovered with an excessive accumulation of snow which reduced drag, limited thrust and performances and modified the aerodynamic.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-104B in Sverdlovsk: 7 killed

Date & Time: Mar 16, 1961 at 1310 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-104
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-42438
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Novosibirsk – Sverdlovsk – Leningrad
MSN:
9 2 08 05
YOM:
24
Flight number:
SU068
Location:
Sverdlovsk
Sverdlovsk oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
41
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Aircraft flight hours:
1600
Aircraft flight cycles:
789
Circumstances:
After takeoff from runway 27 at Sverdlovsk-Koltsovo Airport, while climbing to a height of 130-150 meters, the right engine failed. This caused severe vibrations and the crew was unable to read the instruments properly. Trying to manipulate the throttle, the flight engineer inadvertently shut down the left engine. Due to a loss of power and insufficient thrust, the airplane lost height and the captain elected to make an emergency landing in a frozen pond located nine km west of the airfield. The aircraft landed at high speed, collided with several obstacles and eventually came to rest, broken in three, after a course of 1,220 meters. Two crew members, three passengers and two people on the ground were killed. 31 occupants were injured and 15 were unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Due to fatigue cracks, a blade located on the second stage of the compressor failed during initial climb, causing the failure of the right engine and severe vibrations. The inadvertent shut down of the left engine was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-104A in Vladivostok

Date & Time: Feb 1, 1961
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-104
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-42357
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
8 66 008 03
YOM:
1958
Location:
Vladivostok
Primorsky Krai
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On final approach, the airplane was not properly aligned and the crew was instructed by ATC to make a go around. For unknown reason, the crew ignored this order and continued the approach. The airplane landed at an excessive speed and was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest in flames. There were no injuries but the aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who failed to make a go around.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-14 in Stalingrad: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jan 30, 1961 at 2052 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-14
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-41858
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Stalingrad - Stalingrad
MSN:
1460 009 40
YOM:
29
Location:
Stalingrad
Volgograd oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
6940
Circumstances:
The crew (two pilots, one mechanic and one instructor) departed Stalingrad-Gumrak Airport in the evening to complete a local training mission. Just after liftoff, while in initial climb at a speed of 200 km/h and a height of 20-30 meters, the instructor decided to reduce the engine power to nominal value. The pilot-in-command noticed a loss of power on the left engine and certain that it failed, he ordered the crew to shut it down and to feather its propeller. In the mean time, the airplane banked left to an angle of 70° and then stalled before crashing in a snow covered field located 2,100 meters past the runway end. The mechanic was killed while three other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the instructor decided to reduce the power of the left engine without informing the rest of the crew, which is non compliant to the published procedures. Due to lack of communication, the pilot-in-command interpreted the loss of power for an engine failure. According to procedures, the instructor was not authorized to simulate an engine failure, in fact to reduce the engine power, below the minimum safe altitude of 1,000 meters. Also, his experience on this type of aircraft and in night time conditions was insufficient (176 hours), which was considered as contributing factors, as well as the fact that the captain failed to check his performances.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Pervoye Maya: 5 killed

Date & Time: Jan 17, 1961 at 0538 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-84694
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Meteorological / Weather
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Stalingrad - Stalingrad
MSN:
184 231 06
YOM:
25
Location:
Pervoye Maya
Volgograd oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
10617
Circumstances:
The crew departed Stalingrad-Gumrak Airport for a regional meteorological mission. While flying in marginal weather conditions at an altitude of 4,000 meters, the captain decided to climb to 5,200 meters and allowed the rest of the crew to execute non-compliant maneuvers. The aircraft went in stall conditions then entered a dive. The captain elected to regain control but the aircraft crashed in a huge explosion in a snow covered field located in Pervoye Maya, about 85 km northeast of Stalingrad-Gumrak Airport. The aircraft disintegrated in impact and all five crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Due to insufficient experience, the captain decided to allow the crew to engage in a non-manageable situation that led the aircraft to stall and to crash.
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