Region
Asia

Crash of a Polikarpov U-2 in Ashgabat: 1 killed

Date & Time: Nov 21, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov Po-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-P773
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Ashgabat - Ashgabat
Location:
Ashgabat
Ashgabat City District
Country:
Turkmenistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The student pilot departed Ashgabat Airport on a local solo training flight consisting of several manoeuvre at an altitude of 1,200 metres. After completing turns and stalls, the airplane descended to 600 metres then 300 metres for a circuit to land. It went out of control and crashed upside down near the airport. The pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the airplane crashed in a steep dive out of a spin, due to a violation of the altitude established for performing such manoeuvre (the cadet violated the procedure).

Crash of a Polikarpov P-5 on Mt Gora Markou: 1 killed

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1942
Type of aircraft:
Polikarpov P-5
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1732
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Meteorological / Weather
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Ashgabat - Ashgabat
MSN:
9486
YOM:
1935
Location:
Mt Gora Markou
Ahal Province (Ahal welaýaty)
Country:
Turkmenistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
3546
Circumstances:
The pilot departed Ashgabat Airport to collect meteorological data. While flying in poor weather conditions, he lost control of the airplane that crashed on the slope of Mt Gora Markou (1,530 metres high) located about 25 km west of Ashgabat. As the airplane failed to return to base, SAR operations were initiated and the wreckage was found a week later, on April 25, some 20-30 metres below the summit of the mountain. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the pilot lost control of the airplane after he encountered very bad weather conditions with clouds and atmospheric turbulences.

Crash of a Tupolev G-2 near Chardzhou: 7 killed

Date & Time: Dec 29, 1941 at 0555 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev ANT-6 (TB-3 & G-2)
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L2010
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Chardzhou – Urganch
MSN:
61
YOM:
1937
Location:
Chardzhou
Lebap Province (Lebap welaýaty)
Country:
Turkmenistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
31
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Aircraft flight hours:
1043
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Chardzhou Airport at 0545LT. During the initial climb completed at night, the pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation and failed to listen the warnings from his copilot. The airplane lost height then stalled and impacted the ground some 10-12 km southeast of the airport before coming to rest in the shallow water of the Amu-Darya River. Two crew members and five passengers were killed. Two other crew members and four other passengers were injured. All 23 other occupants were unhurt.
Probable cause:
The pilot-in-command suffered a spatial disorientation during initial climb. It was reported that he was not allowed to fly at night.

Crash of a Tupolev G-2 in Kyzyl-Arvat: 6 killed

Date & Time: Aug 27, 1941 at 0225 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev ANT-6 (TB-3 & G-2)
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1996
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tashkent – Ashgabat
MSN:
22 327
YOM:
1937
Location:
Kyzyl-Arvat
Balkan Province (Balkan welaýaty)
Country:
Turkmenistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
3
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Aircraft flight hours:
3118
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Tashkent on a cargo flight to Ashgabat, carrying three passengers and six crew members on behalf of the Central Asian Military District. Prior to departure from Tashkent Airport, the crew was informed that all bearings and lighting systems would be available upon arrival in Ashgabat. Nevertheless, while descending at night to Ashgabat, the crew was unable to locate the airport due to the blackout of the city. In such conditions, the crew decided to divert to Kyzyl-Arvat located in the Krasnovodsk district of Turkmenistan. On final approach, at a height of 70 metres, the airplane impacted the slope of a hill located 3 km south of the airport. Four crew members and two passengers were killed while three other occupants were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The investigation revealed that in spite of the assurance given by the Air Force Command in Ashgabat, no activities have been conducted at the airport which was not accessible when the crew started the approach. This cause a confusion to the crew that lost his orientation.

Crash of a Tupolev ANT-9 in Chardzhou: 11 killed

Date & Time: Nov 12, 1937 at 0905 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev ANT-9 (PS-9)
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L163
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chardzhou - Urganch
MSN:
164
YOM:
1933
Location:
Chardzhou
Lebap Province (Lebap welaýaty)
Country:
Turkmenistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Aircraft flight hours:
2087
Circumstances:
About five minutes after takeoff from Chardzhou Airport, while climbing to a height of about 500 metres, the right engine failed. The pilot decided to return to his departure point, made a turn to the left and reduced his altitude when the airplane stalled and crashed near the airport, bursting into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 11 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- A fuel connection to the carburetor of the right engine moved after takeoff due to strong vibrations, preventing the engine from being properly fueled,
- Numerous repairs had been made to this engine over the past two days,
- The pilot took the decision to return to his departure point when there was a serviceable airfield located 800-1,000 metres from his position,
- The crew failed to shut off the fuel feed to the right engine, which led to the engine fire and explosion.
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