Aeroflot accidents and incidents

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Founded in 1923, Aeroflot, the flag carrier and largest airline of Russia (formerly the Soviet Union), has had a high number of fatal crashes, with a total of 8,231 passengers dying in Aeroflot crashes according to the Aircraft Crashes Record Office, mostly during the Soviet era, about five times more than any other airline. [1] [2] From 1946 to 1989, the carrier was involved in 721 incidents. From 1995 to 2017, the carrier was involved in 10 incidents. In 2013, AirlineRatings.com reported that five of the ten aircraft models involved in the highest numbers of fatal accidents [3] were old Soviet models. [1]

Contents

Aviation columnist Patrick Smith stated that Aeroflot's raw crash totals including the Soviet Union era may not give a total picture of the airline's safety record, because the airline was divided into pieces after the conclusion of the Soviet era; according to Smith, the size of Aeroflot's Soviet era operation was the equivalent of all of the large airlines in the United States at the time combined. [4] In the Soviet Union, there was only one airline, that being Aeroflot. [1]

Following is a list of accidents and incidents Aeroflot experienced from 1932 to the present.

1930s

DateLocationAircraftTail numberAirline divisionAircraft damageFatalitiesDescriptionRefs
23 February 1932 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg Nizhne-Tambov PS-5 СССР-Л718Far East W/O 16/16The aircraft was operating a Okha–Nikolaevsk-on-Amur–Nizhne-Tambov–Khabarovsk passenger service. On takeoff from Ohka en route to Nikolaevsk-na-Amur, the aircraft was already overloaded by 336 kg (741 lb) and another 226 kg (498 lb) was added at Nikolaevsk-na-Amur. The now severely overloaded aircraft took off for Nizhne-Tambov. After passing over Sukhanovka at 30–50 m (98–164 ft) and following the Amur River, the aircraft was forced to fly low due to poor visibility and bad weather. While descending for Nizhne-Tambov at 50 m (164 ft), the right wing separated. Control was lost and the aircraft entered a descending clockwise spiral and crashed upside down on the frozen Amur River. During a 1931 overhaul for conversion to an airliner, the right wing was improperly repaired. [5]
10 May 1932 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg Moscow ANT-9 СССР-Л128Un­known W/O 4/11The aircraft took off from Frunze Central Aerodrome for a test flight. While cruising at 900 m (3,000 ft), the mechanic informed the pilot of an oil leak on the right engine. The pilot began descending and decided to divert to Oktyabrskoye Airfield. On approach, at 125 m (410 ft) and flying at 120 km/h (75 mph) with both remaining engines at full power, the aircraft rolled to the right, stalled and crashed in a forest. The oil leak was caused by a failed hydraulic pump. [6]
8 February 1933 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg Goychay K-5 СССР-Л481Transcaucasian W/O 4/5The aircraft was operating a Baku-Tiflis (now Tbilisi) passenger service. En route to Ganzhda and Yevlakh the pilot encountered poor visibility due to fog. He descended to maintain visual contact with the ground and followed a rail line. While approaching Goychay at below 30 m (98 ft), the pilot realized that he was facing trees and began a sharp right turn when the aircraft hit trees, partially tearing off the right wing and the aircraft crashed. [7]
15 February 1933 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg Moscow RegionK-5СССР-Л455Moscow Department of Air Lines W/O 2/2The aircraft was operating a Moscow-Kharkiv mail flight. Approaching Podolsk, the weather deteriorated and the pilot decided to return to Moscow, but the weather was also poor there. During the approach, at 110–120 m (360–390 ft), the aircraft struck an antenna, partially tearing off the right wing. Control was lost and the aircraft descended and crashed 65 m (213 ft) further on. [8]
11 May 1933 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg KontuganovoK-5СССР-Л463Moscow Department of Air Lines W/O 1/4The aircraft was operating a Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg)-Yanaul-Kazan passenger service. While cruising at 800 m (2,600 ft), the weather worsened with snow showers, although the weather forecast called for rain. The pilot descended to 300 m (980 ft) and encountered blizzard conditions. The pilot later decided on an emergency landing near Kontuganovo. While circling at 50 m (160 ft), the left wing struck a tall tree and the aircraft crashed. The pilot died of his injuries a few hours later. [9]
5 September 1933 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg Poldasnya R-6 Limuzin СССР-J5Un­known W/O 8/8The aircraft was operating a charter flight from Moscow to Feodosia. En route, the aircraft encountered bad weather. Because of the low visibility, the pilot descended to establish a visual reference with the ground, but the aircraft struck a tree and crashed. [10]
17 November 1933 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg BatayskK-5СССР-Л406Un­known W/O 3/3Shortly after takeoff, the crew encountered engine problems and the aircraft climbed to 70 m (230 ft) before beginning a descent. The pilot attempted to find a spot for a forced landing but the aircraft nosed down and crashed and caught fire. The cause of the engine problem was not determined, but a faulty carburetor was blamed and the loss of control was caused by pilot error. The aircraft was operating a training flight. [11]
27 July 1934 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg BalkhashANT-9СССР-Л130Kazakh W/O 10/10The aircraft was operating an Alma-Ata (now Almaty)-Karaganda-Taldykorgan-Balkhash passenger service. On approach to Taldykorgan, the pilot made a series of mistakes and violations and landed the aircraft in a crosswind and the aircraft touched down on one landing gear. A go-around was made and the aircraft landed safely. Approaching Balkhash, the winds picked up. The aircraft lost altitude and touched the ground with the left wing and then hit the ground first with the nose and left engine and then the right engine and right wing. breaking off both engines. The aircraft spun around and came to rest 3 m (9.8 ft) from the first impact site. The fuselage broke in two on impact. [12]
15 August 1934 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg Irkutsk SM.62bis СССР-Х2East Siberia W/O 6/7The aircraft was operating a Irkutsk-Bodaibo passenger service. On the Angara River, the aircraft traveled 100 m (328 ft) and made a 180 degree turn to begin the takeoff. The aircraft rotated and took off despite insufficient speed. Achieving a nose-up attitude, the aircraft struck a two-story house, tearing off the floats after which it stalled and crashed at Transportnaya street; the sole survivor was seriously injured. The aircraft was too close to Irkutsk and the takeoff speed too low. [13]
4 September 1934 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg Olga Bay S.55P СССР-Л997Far East W/O 2/13Following a series of reconnaissance missions over the eastern portion of Primorsky Krai, the crew prepared to return to Vladivostok. Twenty minutes after takeoff, the crew decided to return to refuel. Landing at 140–150 km/h (87–93 mph), the right float struck an object in the water, nearly tearing it off. Water entered the fuselage and the aircraft broke in three and came to rest. The ship Dvinoles rescued all but two passengers. [14]
26 June 1935 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg Lazarev S.55PСССР-Л840Far East W/O 12/12Struck a mountain while flying too low after the pilot became disorientated. The aircraft was operating a Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinsky–Khabarovsk passenger service. Wreckage found in September 1935 and located again in August 1985. A 2015-2016 expedition to the crash site found skeletal remains and these were buried in a Khabarovsk cemetery in 2016. [15]
21 June 1936 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg Aleksandrovsk-SakhalinS.55PСССР-Л996Far East W/O 1/7The aircraft was due to begin a Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalin–Viakhtu–Khabarovsk passenger service. The takeoff was delayed several times due to swells and strong winds. The crew also noted floating logs in the water. That evening, when the weather cleared up, the crew decided to take off in a headwind. During the takeoff roll, the aircraft struck floating logs, partially tearing off both floats, nosed down and crashed in the water. One passenger drowned while six others were quickly rescued. [16]
27 July 1936 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg Kulab ANT-9СССР-Л192Uzbek-Tajik W/O 6/6The aircraft was completing a Stalinabad (now Dushanbe)-Kulab passenger service. Following a downwind leg to Kulob Airport, while flying over the runway at 10 m (33 ft), the pilot performed a go-around. The aircraft climbed to 30 m (98 ft) in a nose-up attitude, then stalled and crashed and burned out. Pilot error was blamed. [17]
4 August 1936 Flag of the Soviet Union (1924-1936).svg Malmyzh ANT-7 СССР-Л2122Far East W/O 6/10The aircraft was operating a Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalinsky–Nizhnetambovskoye–Khabarovsk passenger service. The crew did not receive any weather bulletins for the route and destination before takeoff. Several instruments, such as the variometer, path finder and artificial horizon also did not work. Passing over Komsomolsk, the weather deteriorated with low clouds, forcing the pilot to descend to 150 m (490 ft). Later, storms forced the pilot to descend further and eventually decided to land on the Amur River. On final approach the pilot noticed an island and began a sharp left turn when the left float struck the water. The aircraft cartwheeled and crashed in the river off Malmyzh. [18]
10 February 1937 Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg Chechen-Ingush ASSRANT-9CCCP-Л167Transcaucasian W/O 1/2The aircraft was being ferried from Tbilisi to Moscow for repairs. Despite low clouds, the aircraft took off for Grozny. Low clouds forced the pilot to fly low and just before reaching Grozny, the aircraft entered fog. The pilot turned around to exit the fog and after leaving the fog he turned around again to fly to Mineralnye Vody, although he had permission to only fly to Grozny. The aircraft again entered fog and was able to climb out, but the crew noticed that the instruments were failing. Realizing that flying blind was impossible, the pilot began a gentle descent. Distracted with monitoring instruments, the pilot did not realize that the aircraft was approaching the ground and it crashed into the top of a low ridge. [19]
27 June 1937 Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg Zaporozhye AirportANT-9CCCP-Л176Moscow W/O 11Collided on the runway with a PL-5 during takeoff. The PL-5 departed the airport for Moscow. A few minutes later for reasons unknown, the PL-5 decided to return. Meanwhile, the ANT-9 was preparing for the second leg of a Simferopol-Zaporozhye-Moscow passenger service. The PL-5 then decided to land for unknown reasons without ATC permission while the ANT-9 began takeoff on the same runway, also without ATC permission. Both aircraft collided. [20]
PL-5CCCP-И93Un­knownW/O
6 August 1937 Flag of Romania.svg Herina DC-2-152 URSS-M25International W/O 6/6Crashed after a passenger lit a cigarette in the toilet, where avgas fumes had accumulated. The aircraft was operating an international scheduled Prague–Cluj–Moscow passenger service. [21]
12 November 1937 Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg Chardzhou PS-9 CCCP-Л163Turkmenistan W/O 11/11Four to five minutes after an uneventful takeoff, at 400–500 m (1,300–1,600 ft), the right engine quit. The aircraft began to turn right and the pilot corrected it. The pilot decided to return to Chardzhou (now Türkmenabat) and performed a left turn. Concerned that the aircraft might not reach the airport, the pilot performed a right turn, but because the right engine was not working, this caused a loss of control. The aircraft entered a dive at 150–200 m (490–660 ft) and crashed and burned out; the engine failure was probably caused by improper maintenance. The aircraft was operating a Chardzhou–Urgench passenger service. [22]
9 April 1938 Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg ShakiPS-9СССР-Л190Transcaucasian W/O 3/3While approaching Shaki inbound from Yevlakh during a cargo flight, the aircraft entered fog. The pilot decided to return but the aircraft crashed on the side of a mountain. [23]
18 May 1938 Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg Arkhangelsk G-1 СССР-Н122Un­known W/O 4/16Spiraled out of control and crashed in the Dvina River following engine failure. The aircraft was operating a survey flight. [24]
17 August 1938 Flag of the USSR (1936-1955).svg Lake Onega MP-1bis СССР-Л2550Northern W/O 7/7Lost control and crashed in Lake Onega near Suisarri Island. The aircraft was operating a Shunga-Petrozavodsk passenger service. [25]

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 Smith, Oliver (9 February 2016). "Aeroflot: from world's deadliest airline to one of the safest in the sky". The Telegraph.
  2. ↑ "History of Aeroflot--Russian International Airlines – FundingUniverse".
  3. ↑ Smith, Oliver (4 February 2016). "'Least safe' aircraft models revealed". The Telegraph. ISSN   0307-1235 . Retrieved 27 October 2017.
  4. ↑ Smith, Patrick (7 May 2013). Cockpit Confidential: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel: Questions, Answers, and Reflections. Sourcebooks. p.  207. ISBN   9781402280931.
  5. ↑ Accident descriptionfor CCCP-L718 at the Aviation Safety Network
  6. ↑ "Crash of a Tupolev ANT-9 in Moscow: 4 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  7. ↑ "Crash of a Kalinin K-5 in Göyçay: 4 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  8. ↑ "Crash of a Kalinin K-5 in Moscow: 2 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  9. ↑ "Crash of a Kalinin K-5 in Kontuganovo: 1 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  10. ↑ "Crash of a Tupolev R-6 Limuzin in Poldasnia: 8 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  11. ↑ "Crash of a Kalinin K-5 in Bataysk: 3 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  12. ↑ "Crash of a Tupolev ANT-9 in Balkhash: 10 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  13. ↑ "Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti SM.62bis in Irkutsk: 6 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  14. ↑ "Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti S.55 in the Olga Bay: 2 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  15. ↑ Accident descriptionfor CCCP-L840 at the Aviation Safety Network
  16. ↑ "Crash of a Savoia-Marchetti S.55 off Aleksandrovsk-Sakhalin: 1 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  17. ↑ "Crash of a Tupolev ANT-9 in Kulob: 6 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  18. ↑ "Crash of a Tupolev ANT-7 off Malmyzh: 6 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 28 July 2022.
  19. ↑ "Crash of a Tupolev ANT-9 near Verkhnii-Naur: 1 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives.
  20. ↑ "Crash of a Tupolev ANT-9 in Zaporozhie: 9 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives.
  21. ↑ Accident descriptionfor URSS-M25 at the Aviation Safety Network . Retrieved on 2018-04-27.
  22. ↑ "Crash of a Tupolev ANT-9 in Chardzhou: 9 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives.
  23. ↑ "Crash of a Tupolev ANT-9 near Shaki: 3 killed". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  24. ↑ Accident descriptionfor CCCP-N122 at the Aviation Safety Network
  25. ↑ Accident descriptionfor CCCP-L2550 at the Aviation Safety Network
  26. ↑ Accident descriptionfor RA-86074 at the Aviation Safety Network . Retrieved on 2014-06-09.
  27. ↑ Accident descriptionfor RA-85667 at the Aviation Safety Network . Retrieved on 2014-06-09.
  28. ↑ "Аэрофлот приступает к списанию Ту-154" [Aeroflot begins retiring the Tu-154](PDF). Взлёт (Takeoff) (in Russian). Vol. 45. September 2008. p. 16.
  29. ↑ "IAC – Final report B 737-505 VP-BKO (full text)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 November 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2018.
  30. ↑ Accident descriptionfor VP-BXM at the Aviation Safety Network . Retrieved on 2017-03-07.
  31. ↑ Borodina, Polina (4 June 2014). "Parked Aeroflot Il-96 catches fire at Sheremetyevo Airport". Air Transport World . Archived from the original on 4 June 2014.
  32. ↑ Hradecky, Simon. "Accident: Aeroflot IL96 at Moscow on Jun 3rd 2014, caught fire while parked". The Aviation Herald. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  33. ↑ Accident descriptionfor RA-98010 at the Aviation Safety Network . Retrieved on 2014-06-09.
  34. ↑ "Serious incident, Airbus A321-211 (WL) VP-BES". Aviation Safety Network Wikibase. Retrieved 3 February 2019.
  35. ↑ "At least 40 dead after Aeroflot plane's emergency landing, fire at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport". Fox News . 5 May 2019.
  36. ↑ "ASN Aircraft accident Airbus A321-211 (WL) VP-BAX Moskva-Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO)". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
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