Crash of an Ilyushin II-76 in Vitebsk: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 23, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-76
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-86714
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Vitebsk - Vitebsk
MSN:
053403067
YOM:
1975
Location:
Vitebsk
Vitebsk voblast
Country:
Belarus
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Circumstances:
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 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
Location:
Vitebsk
Vitebsk voblast
Country:
Belarus
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
26
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 an Antonov AN-12 at Belaya AFB: 10 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1959
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Irkutsk – Belaya – Vitebsk
MSN:
8 9 006 06
YOM:
1958
Location:
Belaya AFB
Irkutsk oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
10
Aircraft flight hours:
107
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Irkutsk-2 to Vitebsk with an intermediate stop at Belaya AFB located 85 km northwest of Irkutsk. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing, the aircraft went out of control and crashed in a huge explosion. All ten occupants, four engineers and six crew members, were killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the assumption that the loss of control was caused by the failure of an aileron or a in-flight fire was not ruled out.

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
Location:
Vitebsk
Vitebsk voblast
Country:
Belarus
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Circumstances:
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 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:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Vitebsk - Vitebsk
MSN:
1706
Location:
Vitebsk
Vitebsk voblast
Country:
Belarus
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
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.
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