FlightFinder
Check my flight
13 fatalities

Cargo Flight Crash Due to Icing on Stabilizers (RA-11118)

Nalcik, RussiaLanding (descent or approach)

On February 24, 1994, an Antonov AN-12 (registration RA-11118) operated by Pulkovo Aviation Enterprise was involved in an aviation accident near Nalcik, Russia during landing or approach. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The loss of control was the consequence of an excessive accumulation of ice on stabilizers. Information transmitted to the crew regarding weather conditions at destination did not reflect the actual situation and did not mention any icing conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

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

A cargo flight from St Petersburg to Nalcik crashed after icing on stabilizers caused loss of control. All 13 occupants were killed.

Flight Details and Accident Sequence The aircraft was operating a cargo flight from St Petersburg to Nalcik, with an intermediate stop in Volgograd. The flight carried seven passengers, six crew members, and a cargo load of 12.5 tons of coins minted in St Petersburg. During final approach, the aircraft was 8 km from the airport, traveling at 260 km/h, when flaps were selected down to an angle of 35°. Thirty seconds later, the aircraft began to pitch up and down, then nosed up to an angle of 15°. It entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed at a speed of 414 km/h in a nose-down angle of 55° in an open field located 4.5 km short of the runway threshold. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all 13 occupants were killed.

Probable cause

The loss of control was the consequence of an excessive accumulation of ice on stabilizers. Information transmitted to the crew regarding weather conditions at destination did not reflect the actual situation and did not mention any icing conditions.
Icing

More accident analyses