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19 fatalities

Controller Error Leads to Fatal Crash of Four-Engine Aircraft Near Ucharal

Ucharal, KazakhstanLanding (descent or approach)

On August 17, 1991, an Antonov AN-12 operated by Soviet Air Force - Voyenno-vozdushnye sily CCCP was involved in an aviation accident near Ucharal, Kazakhstan during landing or approach. 19 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The approach controller mistakenly cleared the crew to descend to the altitude of 600 metres while the minimum safe altitude for the area was fixed at 2,310 metres. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine aircraft en route from Andijan to Semipalatinsk crashed into a mountain near Ucharal after the controller cleared a descent to 600 meters, below the minimum safe altitude of 2,310 meters. All 19 occupants died.

Incident Overview

A four-engine aircraft was en route from Andijan to Semipalatinsk when the crew diverted to Ucharal for unknown reasons. The approach controller cleared the crew to descend to an altitude of 600 meters. While descending to 1,269 meters, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located 21 km south of Ucharal Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact. All 19 occupants were killed.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident. The approach controller mistakenly cleared the crew to descend to 600 meters, while the minimum safe altitude for the area was fixed at 2,310 meters. No other factors were identified.

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 17 Aug 1991 Antonov AN-12 accident near Ucharal, Kazakhstan?

A four-engine aircraft en route from Andijan to Semipalatinsk crashed into a mountain near Ucharal after the controller cleared a descent to 600 meters, below the minimum safe altitude of 2,310 meters. All 19 occupants died.

Were there any fatalities in the 17 Aug 1991 Antonov AN-12 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 19 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 17 Aug 1991 involved an Antonov AN-12, operated by Soviet Air Force - Voyenno-vozdushnye sily CCCP, at Ucharal, Kazakhstan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The approach controller mistakenly cleared the crew to descend to the altitude of 600 metres while the minimum safe altitude for the area was fixed at 2,310 metres.

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