Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Chersky

Date & Time: Sep 25, 1979
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-92851
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1G53-03
YOM:
1965
Location:
Chersky
Republic of Yakutia (Sakha)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed after an engine failure. Occupant fate unknown.
Probable cause:
Engine failure for unknown reasons.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Chersky: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 9, 1978 at 1743 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-26547
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chersky - Zyrianka
MSN:
57302810
YOM:
1975
Location:
Chersky
Republic of Yakutia (Sakha)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
2
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
The aircraft was engaged in a cargo flight from Chersky to Zyrianka, carrying two loadmasters, five crew members and a load consisting of eight wooden copper coils. During the takeoff roll, at a speed of 200 km/h, the pilot-in-command started the rotation (the rotation speed was calculated at 215 km/h). The airplane rotated and continued to climb until the altitude of 150 meters when it entered stall conditions. It turn to the right and crashed in a huge explosion on an hotel located near the airport. The aircraft and the hotel were totally destroyed by a post crash fire. All seven occupants were killed while no one on the ground was injured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the stall and subsequent loss of control during initial climb was caused by the cargo shifting. Investigations revealed that the wooden copper coils were not properly installed and secured in the cabin but only fixed with the onboard winch cable. At liftoff, the wooden copper coils moved to the rear of the cabin, causing the CofG to be out of the enveloppe and the aircraft to be uncontrollable. Loadmasters failed to install and secure the wooden copper coils according to the published procedures and failed to use appropriate equipment such as nets or belts. The copilot exercised an unsatisfactory supervision of the loading while the captain decided to takeoff despite the load was improperly secured.

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

Date & Time: Oct 6, 1972
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-70738
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1G130-39
YOM:
1971
Location:
Chersky
Republic of Yakutia (Sakha)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed near Chersky following an engine failure. There were no casualties.
Probable cause:
Engine failure.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Chersky

Date & Time: Apr 11, 1967 at 2006 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-04213
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Mys Schmidta – Chersky
MSN:
184 346 10
YOM:
1951
Location:
Chersky
Republic of Yakutia (Sakha)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Chersky Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with reduced visibility. Three attempts to land were abandoned and the crew was forced to make a go around at each time. During the fourth approach, the aircraft was too low and crash landed on the icy Kolyma River, about 3,5 km from the runway threshold. All occupants (5 crew members and an undetermined number of passengers) were injured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The crew attempted to land while flying visually in IFR conditions. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- Poor crew coordination,
- Lack of assistance to the captain on part of the copilot and the navigator,
- Seat belt nos fastened,
- VFR approach in IFR conditions,
- Limited competences of the captain while flying in poor weather conditions.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-14 near Chersky: 32 killed

Date & Time: Sep 18, 1962 at 0632 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-14
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-61628
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Magadan – Berelekh – Zyryanka – Chersky – Bilibino
MSN:
1460 009 29
YOM:
1956
Flight number:
SU213
Location:
Chersky
Republic of Yakutia (Sakha)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
27
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Aircraft flight hours:
9868
Circumstances:
The crew was completing a flight from Magadan to Bilibino with intermediate stops at Berelekh, Zyryanka and Chersky. Due to poor weather at Bilibino, the aircraft, the crew and the passengers were grounded at Chersky for four days. Eventually, weather seemed to improve so the crew decided to depart Chersky in the morning of September 18. Few minutes after takeoff, the airplane entered a cloud area and while cruising at the altitude of 800 meters, it struck the snowy slope of Mt Belaya Strelka (975 meters high) located 46 km southeast of Chersky. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forced and a post crash fire and all 32 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The crew decided to modify his route without prior permission and continued the flight at an insufficient altitude in low visibility without any visual contact with the ground.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Cape Shelagsky: 7 killed

Date & Time: Aug 10, 1959 at 1940 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-04242
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Survey / Patrol / Reconnaissance
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Nizhniye Kresty – Pevek
MSN:
184 399 09
YOM:
1951
Location:
Cape Shelagsky
Chukotka okrug
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
5
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
On a flight from Nizhniye Kresty (now Cherski) to Pevek on a survey flight of the icy continent, the copilot decided to cut the route short when the captain was in the passenger cabin and overflew Cape Shelagski (469 meters). On approach to the cape, the aircraft was caught by strong downdraft and eventually struck the hill with the lower fuselage, was thrown up into the air again and eventually crashed into a large boulder and caught fire. Three crew members were rescued while seven others occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Wrong decision on part of the copilot who decided to modify the route without referring to the captain and against all published procedures.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Nizhniye Kresty

Date & Time: Nov 14, 1952 at 0153 LT
Type of aircraft:
Lisunov LI-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-H1011
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Government
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Pevek – Nizhniye Kresty – Magadan
MSN:
234 413 07
YOM:
1952
Location:
Chersky
Republic of Yakutia (Sakha)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Pevek to Magadan with an intermediate stop in Nizhniye Kresty on behalf of the Soviet Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD – Ministerstvo Vnutrennick Del). The takeoff from Nizhniye Kresty Airport was attempted by night and on a runway covered with light snow. After rotation, while in initial climb, the airplane banked left and the left wing just passed over a parked AN-2. The aircraft then turn to the right and crashed on a mound. All four crew members were evacuated safely and the aircraft was later considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The aircraft stalled during initial climb due to an insufficient takeoff speed that was the result of a wrong departure configuration on part of the flying crew. The reaction of the pilot-in-command at stall was incorrect, which was considered as a contributory factor.
Subscribe to Chersky