1957 Kiev mid-air collision

1957 Kiev mid-air collision

Accident
Date	17 August 1957 (1957-8-17)
Summary	Mid-air collision
Site	Kiev, Soviet Union
Total fatalities	15
Total injuries	23
First aircraft
A similar Il-14G to the one involved
Type	Ilyushin Il-14G
Operator	Aeroflot
Registration	СССР-Л1360
Flight origin	Kiev-Zhulyany Airport
Destination	Kiev-Zhulyany Airport
Crew	4
Fatalities	4
Survivors	0
Second aircraft
A similar Il-14M to the one involved
Type	Ilyushin Il-14M
Operator	Aeroflot
Registration	СССР-Л2071
Flight origin	Sofia Airport
Destination	Kiev-Zhulyany Airport
Crew	5
Fatalities	5
Survivors	0
Ground casualties
Ground fatalities	6
Ground injuries	23

The 1957 Kiev mid-air collision occurred on 17 August 1957 when two Ilyushin Il-14s collided over Kiev, killing 15 people, including nine on both aircraft. ^{[1] [2]}

Aircraft

СССР-Л1360 was a seven-month old Ilyushin Il-14G with factory number 147001432 and serial number 14-32. It had logged 157 flight hours. ^[3] The Il-14 was being used in a training flight when the accident happened. ^[4]

СССР-Л2071 was a seven-month old Ilyushin Il-14M (factory number 7342408, serial number 24-08). By the time of the accident, it had 833 flight hours. ^[5] It operated a cargo service as Aeroflot Flight 126 from Sofia to Kiev, transporting the luggage of Chinese athletes. ^[6]

Accident

At 19:45, Flight 126 entered the Kiev-Zhulyany area at 900 m (3,000 ft). The crew contacted air traffic control and was instructed to approach the airport in a small circle. At the same time, СССР-Л1360 took off and landed at approximately 19:54.

At 20:02, while Flight 126 was making a turn, two aircraft collided at about 250–300 m (820–980 ft). The propeller of the Il-14M struck СССР-Л1360's right wing. The propellers went into the Il-14M's cockpit, cutting it off and killing the pilots. ^[2] Both aircraft dived into the ground and crashed into several houses 4.5 km (2.8 mi; 2.4 nmi) from the airport. ^[6]

All nine on board both aircraft along with six people on the ground were killed in the disaster. A further 23 were injured, 12 of them seriously. ^{[4] [6]}

Investigation

The investigation determined the cause to be primarily ATC error, specifically the guidance and assistance of the air traffic controller at Kiev-Zhulyany Airport. Aeroflot Flight 126 was not reported about the presence of another Il-14 performing training manoeuvres in the area. ^{[4] [6]} The crew members on both aircraft's lack of caution also contributed to the disaster.

Aftermath

A memorial for the collision were installed by the son of pilot-in-command Sandler L. M. at their burial site.

References

1. Ranter, Harro. "Accident Ilyushin Il-14D CCCP-L1360 Kiev". Aviation Safety Network . Retrieved 13 February 2024.
2. Ranter, Harro. "Accident Ilyushin Il-14M CCCP-L2071 Kiev". Aviation Safety Network . Retrieved 13 February 2024.
3. "Il-14G c/n 147001432". Scramble Soviet Transports Database.
4. "Crash of an Ilyushin II-14D in Kiev: 7 killed | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives . Retrieved 13 February 2024.
5. "Il-14M c/n 7342408". Scramble Soviet Transport Database.
6. "Crash of an Ilyushin II-14M in Kiev: 8 killed | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives . Retrieved 13 February 2024.