Astrakhan oblast | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the aircraft suffered an engine failure. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft stalled and crashed in an open field, bursting into flames. All 12 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76MD at Privolzhskiy AFB

Date & Time: Jun 20, 2000 at 1750 LT

Type of aircraft:

Ilyushin II-76

Operator:

Registration:

RA-76723

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Government

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Makhatchkala – Privolzhskiy – Vozzhayevka – Khabarovsk

MSN:

00734 75245

YOM:

1987

Location:

Privolzhskiy AFB (Astrakhan)

Astrakhan oblast

Country:

Russia

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

221

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft departed Makhachkala on a flight to Khabarovsk with intermediate stops at Privolzhskiy AFB and Vozzhayevka AFB, carrying 221 passengers and a crew of seven on behalf of the Russian Ministry of Defense. Some 23 minutes after takeoff from Privolzhskiy AFB, while cruising at an altitude of 6,100 metres, the crew encountered technical problems with the fuel system and was cleared to return for an emergency landing. While descending to Privolzhskiy AFB, the flaps could not be lowered and a fire erupted in the left wing. After touchdown, the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance, overran, lost its undercarriage and came to rest 200 metres further, bursting into flames. All 232 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Probable cause:

An in-flight fire occurred in the area between the second and third flap tracks on the left wing, which led to a failure of the fuel lines, hydraulic systems and flap control systems. The most likely cause of the fire was a production flaw, causing electric wires to touch the hydraulic system pipeline, which led to a chafing of the insulation of the wires, their short circuit with subsequent piercing of the pipeline and ignition. The unsuitability of fire extinguishing means and the unpreparedness of the fire brigade of the Privolzhskiy AFB to extinguish fires on aircraft with a flight mass of more than 50 tons led to the destruction by fire of the aircraft on the ground.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12PPS in Privolzhskiy AFB: 8 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 1988 at 1200 LT

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-12

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Privolzhskiy AFB - Privolzhskiy AFB

Location:

Privolzhskiy AFB (Astrakhan)

Astrakhan oblast

Country:

Russia

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On final approach to Privolzhskiy AFB, while at a height of some 300 meters, the four engine aircraft stalled and crashed close to the airfield. All eight crew members were killed. For unknown reason, the crew deviated from the approach pattern when control was lost.

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

Date & Time: Jul 15, 1985

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-55706

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Spraying (Agricultural)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

City

MSN:

1G48-38

YOM:

1964

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The crew was performing a crop spraying flight when the engine failed due to problems with the carburetor. At a height of 60 meters, the aircraft banked left, stalled and crashed onto a residential building located in Selitrennoye. Both pilots were injured while the aircraft was destroyed. There were no injuries on the ground.

Probable cause:

Engine failure following carburetor problems.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Akhtubinsk: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 8, 1985

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-26

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

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:

While approaching Akhtubinsk Airport, the pilot-in-command initiated a go-around for unknown reasons. After passing over the airport, the crew was instructed by ATC to make a turn to the right before joining the downwind circuit. While cruising at a relative low altitude south of the airport, the aircraft was shot down by an air-air missile fired from a Soviet Air Force MiG-23. Out of control, the airplane crashed south of the airfield, killing all eight occupants.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the MiG-23 pilot was completing an exercise south of the Akhtubinsk Airport and was supposed to use an helicopter as target. ATC at Akhtubinsk Airport transmitted wrong instructions to the AN-26 crew, and asked the pilot to make a right turn to the south of the airport, causing the aircraft to fly in a military area. A lack of coordination between civil and military personnel was considered as contributing factor as well as the fact that both AN-26 and MiG-23 crews were using different frequencies.

Crash of a Let L-410UVP in Lineynoye

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1984

Type of aircraft:

Let L-410

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-67140

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

80 04 06

YOM:

1980

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

En route, both engines failed due to fuel exhaustion. The crew completed an emergency landing in a prairie near Lineynoye. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and there were no casualties.

Probable cause:

It was determined that after the fueling process, the crew forgot to properly close the fuel filler cap, causing the fuel to leak during flight.

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

Date & Time: Jul 26, 1976

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-07285

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

1G148-46

YOM:

1973

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

For unknown reason, the pilot got distracted and lost control of the airplane that crashed near Astrakhan. There were no casualties but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Yenotayevka: 1 killed

Date & Time: Jul 19, 1972 at 1845 LT

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-15283

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Private

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Yenotayevka - Yenotayevka

MSN:

1G61-04

YOM:

1965

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

3694

Aircraft flight cycles:

5200

Circumstances:

In the early evening, an intoxicated pilot stolen the keys of the aircraft, started the engine and complete several circuits over the region of Yenotayevka. While flying at an altitude of 150-200 meters, he lost control of the airplane that crashed at a speed of 250 km/h in a steppe located 7 km west of Yenotayevka. The aircraft was destroyed and the pilot, sole on board, was killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the pilot was intoxicated and that the alcohol concentration in his blood was 3,1‰.