Aircraft crash near Shamurat during flight from Nurata

11 fatalities • Shamurat, Uzbekistan • Flight

An aircraft crashed into a mountain slope in the Samarkand region while attempting to navigate poor weather conditions.

What happened

During a scheduled flight traveling from the Kommunizm state farm toward Samarkand, the crew encountered severe meteorological conditions characterized by heavy rainfall and low cloud ceilings. While operating the leg between Nurata and Samarkand, the pilot chose to deviate from the established flight path, steering eastward along the Nuratau mountain range at an altitude of approximately 1,100 meters in an attempt to find more favorable weather.

During this maneuver, the aircraft encountered intense katabatic winds which caused a significant loss of altitude. The aircraft type struck a mountainside at an elevation of 930 meters, located roughly 3.4 kilometers from Shamurat in the Nurata district. The impact resulted in the deaths of all 11 people on board, including both pilots and 9 passengers.

Findings

Investigations concluded that the primary factor in the accident was the crew's decision to proceed with the flight despite encountering weather conditions that were below established minimum visibility and altitude requirements.

Probable cause

The crew made an improper decision to continue the flight while operating in weather conditions below prescribed minimums.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1966-01-14 Antonov AN-2 accident near Shamurat, Uzbekistan?

An aircraft crashed into a mountain slope in the Samarkand region while attempting to navigate poor weather conditions.

Were there any fatalities in the 1966-01-14 Antonov AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 11 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1966-01-14 involved a Antonov AN-2, registration CCCP-02185, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Shamurat, Uzbekistan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew made an improper decision to continue the flight while operating in weather conditions below prescribed minimums.

Loading the flight search…