Crash of a Sukhoi Superjet 100-95B in Moscow: 41 killed

Date & Time: May 5, 2019 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-89098
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Moscow - Murmansk
MSN:
95135
YOM:
2017
Flight number:
SU1492
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
73
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
41
Captain / Total flying hours:
6800
Captain / Total hours on type:
1570.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
765
Copilot / Total hours on type:
615
Aircraft flight hours:
2710
Aircraft flight cycles:
1658
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed runway 24C at Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport at 1803LT on a schedule service to Murmansk. Few minutes after takeoff, while climbing to an altitude of 10,000 feet, the crew encountered problems with the electrical system and informed ATC about an emergency situation via the transponder codes 7700 because communication systems were unserviceable. The crew initiated a circuit to return to the airport, continued the approach to runway 24L. On approach at an altitude between 900 and 1,100 feet, the windshear warning system sounded five times 'Go around. Windshear ahead'. From a height of 80 m (260 ft) above ground level, the aircraft descended below the glide path and at a height of 55 m (180 ft) the TAWS warning sounded: "Glide Slope." From that moment on the airspeed increased to 170 knots. At 18:30 the aircraft overflew the runway threshold and touched down at a distance of 900 m past the threshold at a speed of 158 knots. Touchdown occurred at a g-force of at least 2.55g with a subsequent bounce to a height of about 2 m. After two seconds the aircraft landed again on the nose landing gear with a vertical load 5.85g, and bounced to a height of 6 m. The third landing of the aircraft occurred at a speed of 140 knots with a vertical overload of at least 5g. This caused a rupture of the wing structure and fuel lines. The aircraft caught fire, went out of control, veered off runway to the right and came to rest in a grassy area, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed by fire. 37 occupants were evacuated while 41 people, among them a crew member, were killed.

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

Date & Time: Jun 4, 2002 at 1340 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-07748
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Lovozero – Murmansk
MSN:
1G159-23
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Just after liftoff from Lovozero Airstrip, while climbing to a height of 15-20 metres, the engine lost power and white smoke escaped from the bottom of the engine. The aircraft lost height, struck an 8 metres tall tree located 191 metres past the runway end then crashed in a wooded area 58 metres further. All 12 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure due to poor maintenance. Deficiencies were reported during investigations regarding the operator's maintenance procedures. The documentation related to aircraft maintenance was incomplete. Also, several mechanics and engineers working on the AN-2 fleet were not qualified and authorised to do so.

Crash of a Beechcraft B60 Duke in Oulu: 2 killed

Date & Time: Dec 20, 1994 at 1627 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
N911SG
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bremerhaven – Oulu – Murmansk
MSN:
P-510
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Captain / Total flying hours:
2024
Captain / Total hours on type:
11.00
Aircraft flight hours:
3310
Circumstances:
The aircraft registered N911SG arrived in Oulu on a private flight from Bremerhaven, Germany (EDWB) on 20 December 1994, with the intention to continue the flight to Murmansk, Russia (ULMM). Landing time at Oulu airport was 15.03. The aircraft had one passenger in addition to the pilot-in-command and a representative of the operator company, who had been marked as a crew member. After the landing the pilot-in-command contacted air traffic control by radio and told that the aircraft needed refuelling, without mentioning the fuel type required. The ATC officer transmitted the information by telephone to the fuel company, saying that the aircraft would take JET. According to the delivery receipt, the aircraft was refuelled with 664 litres of jet fuel, JET A-1, whereas the proper fuel type for the aircraft would have been AVGAS 100LL. The aircraft was refuelled on a stand situated in front of the terminal building. The fuel was delivered by a tanker car used only for JET A-1 refuelling and equipped with labels clearly indicating the fuel type. The representative of the aircraft operator/possessor company, who had been registered as a crew member in the aircraft log book, was present during refuelling, and the tanks were filled up according to his instructions on the quantity of fuel needed. He also accepted the fuel sample presented to him and signed the delivery receipt. He paid for the fuel in cash. The fuel tanks had not been marked with the minimum fuel grade of aviation gasoline used, as provided for in the airworthiness requirements. The filling orifices were equipped with restrictors in order to prevent jet fuel nozzles from going in and thus to prevent incorrect refuelling. The tanker car replenishment nozzle had been manufactured with an expansion, which had been shaped and dimensioned to fulfil the requirements set for jet fuel nozzles in different standards. The expansion is intended to prevent jet fuel nozzles from fitting into the orifices of aviation gasoline tanks. However, after the expansion the nozzle tip had been shaped as a Camlock coupling, which was smaller in dimension than the expansion and thus fitted into the reduced filling orifices, making it possible to fill the aviation gasoline tanks with jet fuel. During refuelling, the pilot-in-command visited meteo and paid for the landing. The aircraft had an IFR flight plan drawn up by the pilot-in-command for the continued flight from Oulu to Murmansk. According to the plan, flight time was one hour and 35 minutes, alternate aerodrome Ivalo (EFIV) and endurance 5 hours. The aircraft left for this planned flight from Oulu, runway 30, at 16.19. It had been cleared to Murmansk and to climb after take-off to FL 160 with a right turn. According to the ATC officer who had monitored the take-off, the gradient of climb was rather low. Four minutes after take-off the ATC officer gave the departure time to the aircraft and asked the crew to change over to Rovaniemi Area Control Centre radio frequency. The crew acknowledged the frequency. Without contacting Rovaniemi ACC the crew called again at Oulu ATC frequency at 4 min 47 sec after take-off, stating that they wanted to return to the airport because they were having some problems. The ATC officer cleared the aircraft to call on final 12. Approximately 10 seconds after this transmission the ATC officer asked whether any emergency equipment was needed, and the answer was negative. At 16.25.25, when the ATC officer asked if the crew had the field in sight, the crew confirmed this and reported that their DME distance was 6 nm. At 16.26.11 the crew called mayday, stating that both engines were stopping. At 16.26.38 the mayday call was repeated and emergency landing reported. Rovaniemi ACC monitored the aircraft by radar, and the last reliable radar contact was established at 16.26.30. On the basis of recorded radar data, the crash site was estimated to be approximately 1 NM from Laanila NDB, in the direction of 60°. Rescue units found the aircraft in a forest at 17.06. It had struck into trees, turned upside down and been destroyed. The aircraft door was shut and the occupants were still inside. The passenger on the back seat had been thrown away from his seat and was found dead at the accident site. The pilot-in-command was on the left front seat, seriously injured and unconscious, with his seat belt fastened (he died from his injuries 10 days later on December 30). The right crew seat occupant was injured but conscious, and his seat belt was fastened as well. It came out during the investigation that he was actually a passenger.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by incorrect refuelling. This was made possible by a series of human errors, which together with the fact that the technical defences failed, permitted the aircraft to be refuelled with Jet A-1 instead of Avgas 100LL. The incorrect fuel caused knocking, which resulted in engine damage and eventual stopping of both engines.
Final Report:

Crash of a Tupolev TU-124V in Murmansk: 32 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 1965 at 1557 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-45086
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Leningrad – Murmansk
MSN:
5 35 18 01
YOM:
1965
Flight number:
SU099
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
57
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Aircraft flight hours:
357
Aircraft flight cycles:
300
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Leningrad-Pulkovo Airport, the crew started the approach to Murmansk Airport by night and poor weather conditions due to snow falls. After passing the middle marker, the aircraft was 400 meters left of the approach path when the visibility suddenly dropped due to a snow squall. The airplane was below the glide when the captain misinterpreted lights on the ground and decided to increased the rate of descent. The airplane struck the icy surface of the Kilp Yavr Lake located 1,5 km short of runway 31, lost its left wing and came to rest in shallow water about 1,562 meters short of runway. 32 occupants were evacuated while 32 others were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The accident was caused by the combination of the following factors:
- Poor weather conditions upon arrival with sudden deterioration of the visibility,
- Wrong decision on part of the crew who descended below the glide,
- Lack of ATC assistance and wrong instructions transmitted to the crew during the final approach procedure.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2V near Murmansk: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 18, 1964 at 1218 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-09275
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Schedule:
Murmansk - Umba
MSN:
1G23-24
YOM:
1962
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
1963
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Murmansk-Murmashi Airport on a cargo flight to Umba, carrying a crew of two, 158 kilos of various goods and 855 kilos of mail. Few minutes after takeoff, weather conditions deteriorated and the crew deviated from the prescribed flight path to the right by 3 km . In poor visibility, the single engine airplane struck the slope of a snow covered hill (427 meters high), three meters below the summit, passed on the opposite slope of the hill and came to rest in flames, upside down, some 30 meters below the summit. The wreckage was 20 km south of Murmashi Airport and both crew members were seriously injured. The captain died from his injuries five days later.
Probable cause:
Poor flight preparation on part of the flying crew who failed to follow the prescribed flight path after departure.

Crash of a Beriev MBR-2 off Murmansk: 3 killed

Date & Time: Oct 26, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew encountered an unexpected situation and was forced to make an emergency landing when the floatplane crashed into the sea off the coast of Murmansk oblast. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Cpt Aleksey Ivanovich Blinov, pilot,
Cpt Ivan Andreevich Zhernovoy, navigator,
Sgt Leonid Leonidovich Denisov, wireless operator and air gunner.

Crash of a Polikarpov PR-5 near Olenitsa: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 13, 1941 at 1200 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L2518
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Murmansk – Arkhangelsk
MSN:
165
YOM:
1938
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
41
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
1857
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Murmashi Airport in Murmansk on an ambulance flight to Arkhangelsk, carrying four wounded soldiers and one pilot. About two hours into the flight, the engine started to lose power and later failed. The pilot attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed in a bog located 270 km southeast of Murmansk and came to rest upside down. All four passengers escaped injured while the pilot was killed. The aircraft was later destroyed by an unintentional fire set up by the passengers who were smoking around the wreckage.
Probable cause:
Because the airplane was destroyed by fire, the cause of the engine failure could not be determined.

Crash of a Beriev MBR-2 near Murmansk: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The floatplane was shot down by a German fighter and crashed in the region of Murmansk. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Alexander Grigoryevich Bazhanov, pilot,
Lt Fedor Markovich Mager, navigator,
Sgt Ivan Georgievich Stenkin, wireless operator and air gunner,
Probable cause:
Shot down by a German fighter.

Crash of a Beriev MBR-2 near Murmansk: 3 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The floatplane was shot down by enemy fire and crashed in the region of Murmansk. All three crew members were killed.
Crew:
Lt Alexander Andriyanovich Suvorov, pilot,
Lt Vasily Nikolaevich Ershov, navigator,
Sgt Grigory Petrovich Alekseev, wireless operator and air gunner.
Probable cause:
Shot down by enemy fire.

Crash of a GVF PS-84 in Murmansk

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1941
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L3433
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
7 5 04
YOM:
1940
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The airplane was completing a cargo flight to Murmansk, carrying four crew members and a load of ammunitions. On final approach to Murmansk-Vayenga Airport, the airplane was hit by ground fire. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the airplane crashed, bursting into flames. All four occupants were rescued, among them two were injured.
Probable cause:
Shot down by ground fire.