Aircraft crash involving engine failure during initial climb

56 fatalities • Baku-Heydar Aliyev (Bina), Azerbaijan • Takeoff (climb)

A flight crashed into an oil pipeline following a left engine failure and subsequent stall shortly after takeoff.

What happened

The aircraft completed its takeoff roll normally, rotating at a speed of 220 km/h. Approximately five seconds after leaving the ground, while maintaining an altitude of 10 meters, the left engine experienced a failure. In response to this event, the left propeller automatically feathered, allowing the crew to maintain their climb.

Thirty-four seconds into the flight, at an altitude of 30 meters and a speed of 230 km/h, the crew retracted the flaps. Shortly thereafter, while flying at 40 meters with a speed of 227 km/h, the pilot-in-command began a left turn. During this maneuver, the aircraft drifted to the left, lost airspeed, and entered a stall. The plane subsequently impacted a pipeline belonging to the Neftyanyye Kamni Oil Company, resulting in a post-crash fire. The accident resulted in 56 fatalities (comprising two crew members and 54 passengers) and 8 injuries.

Findings

Investigations revealed that several blades on the first stage of the turbine had disintegrated. This structural failure was attributed to a degradation of mechanical properties caused by prior overheating, likely exceeding temperatures of 1,150°. While the disintegration was confirmed, investigators could not determine the specific cause or the exact timing of the overheating event.

Probable cause

The disintegration of first-stage turbine blades due to previous overheating led to engine failure during the climb.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1973-08-18 Antonov AN-24 accident near Baku-Heydar Aliyev (Bina), Azerbaijan?

A flight crashed into an oil pipeline following a left engine failure and subsequent stall shortly after takeoff.

Were there any fatalities in the 1973-08-18 Antonov AN-24 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 56 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1973-08-18 involved a Antonov AN-24, registration CCCP-46435, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Baku-Heydar Aliyev (Bina), Azerbaijan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The disintegration of first-stage turbine blades due to previous overheating led to engine failure during the climb.

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