Vitebsk voblast | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

The crew was completing a local training flight at Vitebsk. On approach, a technical problem occurred on the left flap that retracted. The airplane banked left then dove into the ground and crashed about 12 km from the airport. All seven crew members were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that a cog-wheel on the left flap broke on approach, causing an uncommanded retraction of the flap. Due to an asymmetric flaps deployment, control was lost.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2P in Postavy

Date & Time: May 29, 1978

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-35188

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

1G114-12

YOM:

1970

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On final approach to Postavy Airfield, the crew was distracted and did not realize that the approach speed was too low. The aircraft stalled and hit an embankment located short of runway threshold before coming to rest. The aircraft was written off while all five occupants were unhurt.

Probable cause:

Crew distraction.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Vitebsk: 26 killed

Date & Time: Jan 7, 1974

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-12

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Pskov - Vitebsk

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Circumstances:

The approach to Vitebsk was initiated in icing conditions when the crew lost control of the airplane that lost height, struck power cables and crashed in flames in an open field. Five passengers survived while 26 other occupants were killed. The airplane was enroute from Pskov to Vitebsk, carrying officers taking part to an exercise.

Probable cause:

It is believed that the accident was the consequence of an excessive accumulation of ice on wings, stabs and all fuselage while completing an approach in severe icing conditions while the different deicing systems had apparently not been switched ON by the crew.

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

Date & Time: Feb 2, 1965 at 1410 LT

Type of aircraft:

PZL-Mielec AN-2

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-45218

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Spraying (Agricultural)

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Gorodok - Gorodok

MSN:

1G44-07

YOM:

1964

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The crew was engaged in a local crop-spraying mission on behalf of the kolkhoz of Mayakovskogo. The crew left Gorodok (Vitebsk voblast) and approaching Varkhi, he made a sharp turn to the right at low height when the right wing hit telephone cables and the airplane crashed. Both pilots were seriously injured while the passenger, an agronomist, was killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the crew was intoxicated after he drank too much vodka and wine.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12 in Vitebsk: 6 killed

Date & Time: Jan 31, 1959

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-12

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Vitebsk - Vitebsk

MSN:

8 9 002 02

YOM:

1958

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During the takeoff roll, both right engines number three and four failed. Simultaneously, the rudder went to a full left position when the crew attempted to rotate. The aircraft lifted off and then banked right, causing the right wing to struck the ground. Out of control, the aircraft crashed and eventually came to rest in flames, upside down, some 160 meters farther. Six crew members were killed while the gunner was slightly injured.

Probable cause:

Failure of both right engines number three and four due to a short-circuit in a terminal strip. For unknown reason, the crew failed to feather the propeller on both right engines.

Crash of a GVF PS-84 in Toropa: 6 killed

Date & Time: Sep 14, 1943 at 0400 LT

Type of aircraft:

GVF PS-84

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-L4012

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Supply

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

MSN:

184 35 08

YOM:

1943

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After the crew completed a supply mission to soldiers based in Belarus, while flying by night at an altitude of 1,500 meters, the twin engine aircraft was shot down by the pilot of a German Messerschmitt Bf.110 fighter. Out of control, the aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a field, killing all six crew members.

Probable cause:

Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Junkers JU.88D-5 in Vitebsk: 2 killed

Date & Time: Feb 5, 1942 at 1502 LT

Type of aircraft:

Junkers JU.88

Operator:

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Training

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Vitebsk - Vitebsk

MSN:

1706

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The airplane was engaged in a local training flight at Vitebsk Airport, carrying one instructor and one student pilot. It crashed upon takeoff, killing both occupants.
Crew:
Uffz Horst Dohmhardt, pilot,
Prf Erich Schmidt, instructor.

Crash of a Junkers JU.52/3m in Orsha: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 4, 1941 at 1800 LT

Type of aircraft:

Junkers JU.52

Operator:

Registration:

D-AEPY

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Military

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

MSN:

5843

YOM:

1937

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The airplane crashed for unknown reasons at Orsha-Balbasava Airport. All five occupants were killed.
Crew:
Uffz Karl Hillmer, pilot,
Uffz Karl Blumberger, radio operator,
Fw Karl Häusele, mechanic,
Uffz Johannes Ochsenknecht, air gunner.
Passenger:
Karl Schickling.