FlightFinder
Check my flight
9 fatalities

Aircraft Collides with Vehicles and Crashes After Takeoff from Snow-Contaminated Runway (CCCP-12162)

Komsomolsk-on-Amur, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On October 19, 1987, an Antonov AN-12 (registration CCCP-12162) operated by MAP - Ministerstvo Aviatsionnoi Promyshlennosti - Minaviaprom was involved in an aviation accident near Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia during takeoff. 9 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was the consequence of poor flight preparation by the crew, who took wrong decisions, and by airport authorities. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft on takeoff from a snow-covered runway with a tailwind collided with two airport vehicles, nosed over, and crashed into a car workshop near the airport, bursting into flames. All nine occupants were killed.

Accident Overview

The crew initiated the takeoff procedure from a snow-covered runway while experiencing a tailwind component. The aircraft lifted off at the end of the runway, subsequently colliding with two airport vehicles. The aircraft then nosed down and crashed into a car workshop located near the airport, bursting into flames. All nine occupants were killed.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation determined that the accident resulted from poor flight preparation by the crew and airport authorities, who made incorrect decisions. The following findings were reported:

  • The runway was contaminated with wet snow, and its thickness exceeded the permissible limit.
  • The crew decided to take off with a tailwind of 21 km/h, which rendered the available runway distance insufficient given the flight conditions.
  • The runway had not been properly cleared of snow.
  • The crew failed to abandon the takeoff procedure in a timely manner.

Probable cause

The accident was the consequence of poor flight preparation by the crew, who took wrong decisions, and by airport authorities. Specific findings included: runway contaminated with wet snow exceeding permissible limits; crew decision to take off with a tailwind of 21 km/h, making runway distance insufficient; runway not properly cleared of snow; and crew failure to abandon the takeoff in a timely manner.

Related events

Same operator

More accident analyses