1970-07-18: Antonov AN-22 (CCCP-09303) — Soviet Air Force - Voyenno-vozdushnye sily CCCP — Atlantic Ocean, World

23 fatalitiesAtlantic Ocean, WorldFlight

A humanitarian mission transporting aid to earthquake victims disappeared over the North Atlantic Ocean with no survivors found.

What happened

A flight operating from Moscow toward Lima, Peru, vanished while transporting essential supplies for earthquake relief efforts. The aircraft was carrying a total of 23 occupants, consisting of eight crew members and 15 passengers.

Approximately 47 minutes after departing from Keflavik Airport, the aircraft ceased all radio and radar communications. The plane subsequently crashed into the North Atlantic Ocean under circumstances that remain unidentified. Following the loss of contact, an extensive search and rescue operation was launched involving authorities from Iceland, the Soviet Union, the United States, and Canada. Despite these coordinated efforts, no wreckage or remains were located. After one month of searching, all rescue operations were officially terminated.

Findings

Investigators were unable to reach a definitive conclusion regarding the accident. Because no debris or traces of the flight were recovered from the ocean, the exact cause of the disappearance could not be determined due to a total lack of physical evidence.

Probable cause

The precise reason for the aircraft's disappearance remains undetermined due to the absence of wreckage or survivors.