Crash of an Antonov AN-12 in Kandahar: 14 killed

Date & Time: Jul 11, 1985
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kandahar – Shindand
Location:
Kandahar
Kandahar
Country:
Afghanistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Kandahar Airport, while climbing, the four engine aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile and crashed 22 km from the airfield, bursting into flames. All 14 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a surface-to-air missile.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154B-2 near Ushquduq: 200 killed

Date & Time: Jul 10, 1985 at 2346 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-154
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-85311
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Desert
Schedule:
Karshi – Ufa – Leningrad
MSN:
78A311
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
SU5143
Location:
Ushquduq
Navoiy Province (Navoiy viloyati)
Country:
Uzbekistan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
191
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
200
Aircraft flight hours:
12443
Aircraft flight cycles:
5660
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Karsi Airport, the aircraft climbed at an insufficient speed of 470 km/h with a max speed of 515 km/h. The cruising altitude of 11,600 meters was reached after 40 minutes and 20 seconds. The speed dropped to 400 km/h then the aircraft reached a critical angle of attack (+20°) when vibrations started. The crew misinterpreted these vibrations and failed to judge properly the situation in reducing the engine power to idle. The speed dropped to 290 km/h when the aircraft stalled and entered a spin. The aircraft eventually went into a flat attitude and crashed in an isolated and desert area located in the region of Ushquduq. The aircraft was totally destroyed upon impact and all 200 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the climb configuration was incorrect and the crew led the aircraft adopting a critical angle of attack once the cruising altitude was reached. This situation affected the air flow into the three engines and the aircraft went into inappropriate flight conditions. The crew misinterpreted the situation and failed to identify the wrong flight configuration until the aircraft entered stall condition.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R near Kuybyshev

Date & Time: Jul 7, 1985
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-06255
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Spraying (Agricultural)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
MSN:
1G127-11
YOM:
1971
Location:
Kuybyshev
Samara oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a crop-spraying flight in the Krasny Yar district of the Kuibyshev region when the engine lost power in flight due to problems with a valve couple with cylinder n°7. The crew attempted a forced landing when the aircraft collided with trees and was destroyed. Both pilots escaped injured.
Probable cause:
Engine power loss following problems with a valve of cylinder n°7.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 in Baykit

Date & Time: Jul 4, 1985
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-55710
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1G49-02
YOM:
1964
Location:
Baykit
Krasnoyarsk Krai
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Baykit, the single engine encountered serious difficulties to gain height and the engine lost power. The crew attempted to return to the airport but was eventually forced to make an emergency landing in an open field located few hundred meters past the runway end. All three occupants escaped with minor injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft was overloaded. The weight and balance sheet was incorrect (1,000 kilos instead of 1,300 kilos) and the total weight of the aircraft was 240 kilos above the MTOW. Also, the CofG was well beyond the aft limit.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Suduntuy

Date & Time: Jun 27, 1985
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-84724
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Spraying (Agricultural)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Suduntuy - Suduntuy
MSN:
1G201-42
YOM:
1983
Location:
Suduntuy
Zabaykalsky Krai
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While flying at low height, the engine lost power and failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in an open field. Both pilots were unhurt while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the fuel quality was poor.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2TP in Moma

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1985
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-91783
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1G38-30
YOM:
1963
Location:
Moma
Republic of Yakutia (Sakha)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Moma Airstrip, the single engine aircraft encountered difficulties to gain height. It stalled and crashed in an open field located past the runway end. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair while all three occupants were slightly injured.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the aircraft was carrying a load of cargo for a total weight of 1,619 kilos. The mass and balance document showed one passenger with 1,300 kilos of cargo only. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was 219 kilos above MTOW and the CofG was well beyond the aft limit. In such conditions, the aircraft was unable to climb properly.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2R in Alexandria: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1985
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-32028
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Spraying (Agricultural)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Alexandria - Alexandria
MSN:
1G91-29
YOM:
1968
Location:
Alexandria
Stavropol Krai
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Circumstances:
At the end of the afternoon, following uneventful spraying missions, the crew decided to embark an illegal passenger, an employee from a local state farm. While flying at low height, the pilot-in-command initiated a turn when the aircraft stalled and crashed, bursting into flames. The passenger was injured and both pilots were killed.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Akhtubinsk: 8 killed

Date & Time: Jun 8, 1985
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Location:
Akhtubinsk
Astrakhan oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
While approaching Akhtubinsk Airport, the pilot-in-command initiated a go-around for unknown reasons. After passing over the airport, the crew was instructed by ATC to make a turn to the right before joining the downwind circuit. While cruising at a relative low altitude south of the airport, the aircraft was shot down by an air-air missile fired from a Soviet Air Force MiG-23. Out of control, the airplane crashed south of the airfield, killing all eight occupants.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the MiG-23 pilot was completing an exercise south of the Akhtubinsk Airport and was supposed to use an helicopter as target. ATC at Akhtubinsk Airport transmitted wrong instructions to the AN-26 crew, and asked the pilot to make a right turn to the south of the airport, causing the aircraft to fly in a military area. A lack of coordination between civil and military personnel was considered as contributing factor as well as the fact that both AN-26 and MiG-23 crews were using different frequencies.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2TP near Kobyay

Date & Time: Jun 5, 1985 at 1215 LT
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-29348
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Kobyay – Sangar
MSN:
1G77-31
YOM:
1966
Location:
Kobyay
Republic of Yakutia (Sakha)
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
8
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
1394
Aircraft flight cycles:
20784
Circumstances:
The single engine airplane departed Kobyay at 1205LT on a regular schedule service to Sangar, carrying eight passengers and two pilots. While cruising at an altitude of 550 meters in good weather conditions, the engine lost power then failed. The crew attempted an emergency landing when the aircraft crashed in a prairie located about 35 km southwest of Sangar. All 10 occupants were uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Engine failure in flight following the failure of the cylinder n°7 due to manufacture problems.

Crash of a PZL-Mielec AN-2 near Taldykorgan: 3 killed

Date & Time: Jun 1, 1985
Type of aircraft:
PZL-Mielec AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-70771
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
1G132-26
YOM:
1971
Location:
Taldykorgan
Almaty Province
Country:
Kazakhstan
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
3
Circumstances:
En route, weather conditions worsened with low ceiling and rain showers. The crew decided to return to his departure point but the aircraft deviated from the prescribed route. While cruising under VFR mode in IMC conditions, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain, bursting into flames. All three occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued to fly under VFR mode in IMC conditions.
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