10 fatalities

Ten Killed in Aircraft Crash Shortly After Takeoff from Irkutsk

Belaya AFB, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On November 28, 1959, an Antonov AN-12 operated by Soviet Air Force - Voyenno-vozdushnye sily CCCP was involved in an aviation accident near Belaya AFB, Russia during takeoff. 10 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: 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 an in-flight fire was not ruled out. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed during climb after departing Irkutsk-2, killing all ten occupants. The official investigation could not determine the exact cause, but suggested possible aileron failure or in-flight fire.

Accident Overview

On an unspecified date, an aircraft operated a flight from Irkutsk-2 to Vitebsk with an intermediate stop at Belaya Air Force Base, located 85 kilometers 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.

Investigation Findings

According to the official investigation, 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 an in-flight fire was not ruled out. No other factors or specific circumstances were identified in the source.

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 an in-flight fire was not ruled out.