Country
code

Mtskheta-Mtianeti

Crash of an Antonov AN-26B near Choporti: 33 killed

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1993 at 2215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EY-26035
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Batumi - Baku - Shimkent
MSN:
106 04
YOM:
1981
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
33
Circumstances:
En route from Batumi to Baku, while cruising at the assigned altitude of 5,100 metres, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and severe turbulences. Shortly later, the aircraft stalled, entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed on the slope of a mountain (690 metres high) located near Choporti. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 33 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight following atmospheric turbulences in thunderstorm area.

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 on Mt Kazbek: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 22, 1935 at 1520 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1734
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Mineralnye Vody – Tiflis
MSN:
9502
YOM:
1935
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
184
Aircraft flight cycles:
143
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Mineralnye Vody on a mail flight to Tiflis, Georgia, with two crew members on board. After passing the Krestovy Pass, the crew encountered poor weather conditions. The pilot elected to return to Mineralnye Vody and initiated a turn. Shortly later, he lost his orientation and thinking he already passed the highest mountain, he initiated the descent when the airplane impacted the slope of a mountain part of the Mt Kazbek, about 7 km southeast of the summit (5,047 metres). The wreckage was found at an altitude of 4,000 metres and both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the pilot got lost while cruising in reduced visibility due to foggy conditions and rain.