Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.62bis in Irkutsk: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1934 at 0930 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-X2
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Irkutsk – Bodaibo
MSN:
OE67
YOM:
1932
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Aircraft flight hours:
291
Circumstances:
The floatplane was engaged in a schedule service from Irkutsk to Bodaibo, carrying four passengers and a crew of three. On the Angara River, the captain travelled a distance of about 100 metres then made a 180 turn to start the takeoff procedure. At this time, the distance between the airplane and the first building in the city was about 1300-1400 metres. At a distance of 30-35 metres from the shore, the pilot started the rotation and the airplane took off despite its speed was insufficient. It climbed in a nose up attitude then collided with a two-story house, causing the empennage to be torn off. The airplane stalled and crashed in the Transportnaya street. A passenger was seriously injured while six other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The pilot decided to takeoff facing the city from a distance that was obviously insufficient. He also initiated the rotation while the aircraft' speed was too low.

Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.62bis off Kulebyakino: 5 killed

Date & Time: Oct 27, 1932 at 1630 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-Z1
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Irkutsk - Bodaibo
MSN:
OE72
YOM:
1932
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
5
Aircraft flight hours:
21
Aircraft flight cycles:
12
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Irkutsk on a cargo flight to Bodaibo, carrying four passengers and a crew of three. While cruising some 40 km from Kirensk, weather conditions worsened and the visibility was poor due to heavy snow falls. The captain reduced his altitude, apparently to maintain a visual contact with the ground. At a height of about 20-30 metres, the airplane went out of control and crashed in the Lena River near the village of Kulebyakino, some 15 km southwest of Kirensk. Two passengers were injured while five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, the pilot was inexperienced on this type of aircraft (this was his third flight on type) and there were four passengers on board while this aircraft was not certified to accept passengers.