MRP - Ministerstvo Radioelektronnoi Promyshlennosti | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The aircraft departed Moscow-Zhukovsky Airport on a flight to Severomorsk-Safonovo NAS, carrying 16 people. On approach, the crew encountered bad weather conditions and the visibility was poor. On final, the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) alarm sounded in the cockpit, informing the pilot his altitude was too low. The navigator also informed the captain that the aircraft deviated from the approach path to the left by one km but the captain ignored these messages as well as ATC instructions. At an altitude of 206 meters, the left wing struck an electric pole. The aircraft lost height and crashed, bursting into flames. The captain survived and was slightly injured while 15 other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The captain failed to follow the approach procedures and ignored ATC instructions as well as GPWS and other crew member warnings. In such conditions, he led the aircraft deviating from the approach path and descending below the minimum safe altitude until impact.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur: 9 killed

Date & Time: Dec 10, 1979

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-26

Operator:

MRP - Ministerstvo Radioelektronnoi Promyshlennosti

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The airplane was engaged in a flight where the crew was supposed to test various equipments, probably military ones. According to officials, in poor weather conditions, the airplane deviated from the departure climb course, collided with trees and crashed on a hilly terrain. The wreckage was found in snow about a week later. All nine occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

Due to the extreme secret character of the mission, no information were published about the circumstances and the causes of the accident. All information related to this tragedy were immediately classified by the Soviet Authorities.