6 fatalities

1971-11-13: Antonov AN-24 (CCCP-46378) — Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines — Kerch, Ukraine

Kerch, UkraineLanding (descent or approach)

On November 13, 1971, an Antonov AN-24 (registration CCCP-46378) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Kerch, Ukraine during landing or approach. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew continued the approach below the glide without visual contact with the runway and ground. The accident was caused by the combination of the following factors: - Overestimation of the vertical speed, - Poor altimeter monitoring, - Possible wrong… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781234704Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft on approach to Kerch struck a power line and a house, crashing 2,610 meters short of the runway. All four crew and two passengers, plus five other occupants, were killed. The accident occurred in poor weather with low visibility.

Accident Overview

The aircraft was completing a flight from Simferopol to Kerch, carrying six members of the Ministry of the Interior. On approach, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with fog, clouds down to 100 meters above the ground, and visibility limited to 500 meters.

Sequence of Events

On final approach, at a speed of 220 km/h, the pilot-in-command decided to reduce altitude to establish visual contact with the ground. The airplane subsequently struck a concrete block of a power line. Flying at a height of 17 meters below the runway altitude, the airplane struck a house and crashed in flames some 2,610 meters short of the runway. All four crew members and two passengers were killed, while five other occupants were killed.

Official Findings

The probable cause, as determined by the official investigation, was that the crew continued the approach below the glide path without visual contact with the runway and ground. The accident was caused by a combination of the following factors: overestimation of the vertical speed, poor altimeter monitoring, possible wrong altimeter setting, absence of radar at the airport allowing air traffic control to monitor the aircraft's approach path, low visibility due to fog, and lack of information regarding weather conditions at the destination.