9 fatalities

Crew Fatality in Military Equipment Test Flight Crash

Komsomolsk-on-Amur, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On December 10, 1979, an Antonov AN-26 operated by MRP - Ministerstvo Radioelektronnoi Promyshlennosti was involved in an aviation accident near Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Russia during takeoff. 9 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Due to the extreme secret character of the mission, no information were published about the circumstances and the causes of the accident. All information related to this tragedy were immediately classified by the Soviet Authorities. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft testing various equipment crashed in poor weather after deviating from its climb course, colliding with trees and terrain. All nine occupants were killed. The wreckage was found in snow a week later.

Incident Overview

An aircraft on a mission to test various equipment crashed after encountering poor weather conditions. The flight crew was tasked with evaluating the functionality of the onboard systems, though the specific nature of the equipment remains undisclosed due to the classified nature of the operation.

Departure and Deviation

During the departure climb, the aircraft deviated from its intended course. The exact reasons for this deviation have not been made public, but the prevailing weather at the time was characterized as adverse. The aircraft subsequently struck trees and impacted hilly terrain.

Wreckage Discovery

The wreckage was located approximately one week after the accident, partially buried in snow. The delayed discovery was attributed to the remote and rugged location of the crash site.

Occupant Fatalities

All nine individuals aboard the aircraft perished in the accident. No information regarding the identities or roles of the occupants has been released.

Official Findings

According to the official investigation, all information pertaining to the circumstances and causes of the accident was immediately classified by the Soviet Authorities. No probable cause has been publicly established, and the extreme secrecy surrounding the mission has precluded any disclosure of details.