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Crash of an Antonov AN-12 in Amderma: 20 killed
Date & Time:
Nov 16, 1991 at 1624 LT
Operator:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Ostafyevo AFB - Ryazan - Vorkuta - Tiksi
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
15
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
20
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Ostafyevo AFB on a flight to Tiksi with intermediate stops in Ryazan and Vorkuta, carrying 15 passengers, seven crew members and a load of 6 tons of plumbing and communication equipments. En route from Ryazan to Vorkuta, the crew was diverted to Amderma due to poor weather conditions. But on approach to Amderma, the crew also encountered poor weather conditions and initiated the descent prematurely. On final, the aircraft struck an ammunition depot and crashed in a snow covered field located 1,500 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. Two passengers were seriously injured while 20 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was approaching Amderma Airport at an insufficient altitude after the crew initiated the descent prematurely. It was reported that the ILS system was unserviceable at the time of the accident.
Crash of a Let L-410UVP in Balashov: 3 killed
Date & Time:
Oct 15, 1991
Operator:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Petrovsk – Balashov
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
The crew departed Petrovsk Airport on a training flight to Balashov. On approach, he encountered poor weather conditions with low ceiling and strong headwinds. The crew decided not to land and initiated a go-around procedure. At a speed of 250 km/h, the aircraft climbed to a height of 200-250 meters when it stalled and crashed near the runway, bursting into flames. All three crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined. However, the assumption that the crew attempted a turn to avoid a flock of birds was not ruled out.
Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Kiev: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Sep 26, 1991
Operator:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Krasnodar - Kiev
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a military/cargo flight from Krasnodar to Kiev, carrying a load of fruits and vegetables. To be able to carry more cargo, the crew decided to embark less fuel. En route, the crew encountered strong headwinds and elected to divert to Dnepropetrovsk Airport. Finally, the captain decided to continue to Kiev. While descending to Borispol Airport, the crew informed ATC he was low of fuel so he was cleared for a straight-in approach to runway 36R. For unknown reasons, the captain preferred an approach to runway 18L. On short final, both engines stopped simultaneously. The aircraft stalled, struck the ground, lost its undercarriage and came to rest 1,500 metres short of runway threshold. Eight occupants were injured and one of the pilots was killed.
Probable cause:
Double engine failure on short final due to a fuel exhaustion. Following a poor flight planning and preparation, the crew decided to embark more load and less fuel. The fuel quantity was insufficient for the requested route and flight time.
Crash of an Antonov AN-12 near Ucharal: 19 killed
Date & Time:
Aug 17, 1991
Operator:
Schedule:
Andijan – Semipalatinsk – Novosibirsk
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
19
Circumstances:
En route from Andijan to Semipalatinsk, the crew diverted to Ucharal for unknown reasons and was then cleared to descend to 600 metres. While descending to an altitude of 1,269 metres, the four engine aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 21 km south of Ucharal Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 19 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the approach controller mistakenly cleared the crew to descend to the altitude of 600 metres while the minimum safe altitude for the area was fixed at 2,310 metres.
