Chukotka okrug | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

En route, a fire erupted in the cockpit and the crew tried to extinguish the fire without success. Intoxicated by smoke, pilots lost control of the aircraft that crashed in flames on the Mt Ushkanyi, some 55 km west of Uelkal. Rescuers arrived on site three days later and all four occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The cockpit fire was caused by a short-circuit on an electric cable located in the main panel.

Crash of a Douglas C-47-DL near Egvekinot: 4 killed

Date & Time: Aug 28, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Markova – Vel’Kal

MSN:

6232

YOM:

1943

Location:

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Circumstances:

In poor visibility, the aircraft hit the north slope of Mt Ushkanyi located some 50 km from Egvekinot. All four crew members were killed. According to Soviet Authorities, the aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and post crash fire.

Crash of a Douglas C-47 in Vel'Kal: 3 killed

Date & Time: May 29, 1943

Type of aircraft:

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Location:

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Circumstances:

While descending to Vel'Kal Airport in clouds, the aircraft hit the slope of a mountain and was destroyed. All three crew members were killed.

Crash of a Polikarpov U-2 near Anadyr: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 2, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Polikarpov Po-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-N274

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Perevalnaya – Anadyr

MSN:

12362

YOM:

1938

Location:

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Approaching Anadyr in marginal weather conditions, while cruising at an altitude of 80-100 metres, the pilot initiated a turn when the airplane lost speed, stalled and crashed in a snow covered field located 25 km from Anadyr. The airplane was destroyed and both crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Failure of the pilot to maintain a sufficient speed while performing a turn at a relative low height, causing the airplane to stall.

Crash of a Tupolev G-1 in Snezhnoye: 4 killed

Date & Time: Sep 29, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Tupolev ANT-4 (TB-1 & G-1)

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-N289

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

Schedule:

Anadyr – Snezhnoye

MSN:

795

YOM:

1932

Location:

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Circumstances:

The pilot failed to cope with landing on the Anadyr River near Snezhnoye in 'mirror' conditions. The floatplane landed hard, lost its floats, crashed into the water and sank in a depth of 8-9 metres. All four crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

Poor judgement on part of the pilot. Glassy water was a contributing factor.

Crash of a Tupolev G-1 near Ostrovnoye

Date & Time: Jul 22, 1941

Type of aircraft:

Tupolev ANT-4 (TB-1 & G-1)

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-N292

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Lake, Sea, Ocean, River

MSN:

807

YOM:

1932

Location:

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Circumstances:

The floatplane was leaving the area of Ostrovnoye and took off from the Maly Anyuy River when the accident occurred. The pilot attempted to take off against the water flow and with a light tailwind component. Due to the presence of a pebbles along the takeoff path and to avoid any collision, the pilot took off prematurely while the airplane's speed was too low. Just after liftoff, the pilot initiated a turn when the airplane stalled and crashed in the river. All six occupants were uninjured.

Probable cause:

The pilot initiated the takeoff in unfavorable conditions and lifted off prematurely with an insufficient speed, causing the airplane to stall almost immediately after takeoff.

Crash of a Lockheed 5B Vega near Anadyr

Date & Time: Jun 15, 1933

Type of aircraft:

Lockheed 5 Vega

Operator:

James Joseph Mattern

Registration:

NR869E

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

118

YOM:

1929

Location:

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Circumstances:

James Joseph Mattern was performing a second attempt to cross all Russia from/to the US via Siberia. En route, he encountered unknown technical problems and was forced to make an emergency landing some 80 km from Anadyr. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and abandoned on site, and the pilot was slightly injured. This Vega was the second one of JJ Mattern and received the same registration NR869E as his first Vega that crashed in Belarus on July 6, 1932. While the first Vega NR869E had the MSN 069, the second NR869E received the MSN 118.

Probable cause:

Forced landing due to unknown technical problems.