6 fatalities

Cargo Airplane Crashes Near Kirensk Airport, All Six Crew Killed (CCCP-11347)

Kirensk, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On December 7, 1963, an Antonov AN-12 (registration CCCP-11347) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Kirensk, Russia during takeoff. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Both left engines lost power shortly after takeoff and progressively failed during climb; the crew elected to feather the propeller but without success, causing the airplane to bank left and crash at a 70° angle. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

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

While climbing after takeoff from Kirensk Airport, the airplane banked left, dove, and crashed onto a hut, killing all six crew members. Both left engines lost power and the crew's attempt to feather the propeller was unsuccessful.

Accident Overview

A cargo airplane returning to Irkutsk from Mirnyy crashed shortly after takeoff from Kirensk Airport. The aircraft was climbing to approximately 500 meters when it banked left, entered a dive, and struck a wooden hut located 750 meters south of the airfield. The airplane was totally destroyed, and all six crew members were killed.

Sequence of Events

After departing Kirensk, the crew began a normal climb. While reaching an altitude near 500 meters, both left engines lost power. The engines progressively failed during the climb. The crew attempted to feather the propeller but was unsuccessful. Subsequently, the airplane banked sharply to the left and descended into the ground at a 70° angle, impacting the hut.

Probable Cause

Investigators determined that the accident was caused by the loss of power in both left engines shortly after takeoff, which continued to fail during the climb. The crew's inability to feather the propeller resulted in loss of control, leading to the left bank and descent. The exact cause of the engine failure could not be identified, though possibilities considered included an electrical short-circuit or excessive ice accumulation in the fuel filter.