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16 fatalities

Cargo Flight Crash Near Rostov-on-Don (CCCP-26627)

Rostov-on-Don, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On December 23, 1982, an Antonov AN-26 (registration CCCP-26627) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Rostov-on-Don, Russia during takeoff. 16 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The total weight of the aircraft at the time of the accident was 943 kilos above MTOW while the center of gravity was within limits. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo flight from Sukhumi to Krasnovodsk crashed shortly after takeoff from Rostov-on-Don in foggy conditions, killing all 16 occupants. The aircraft was found 1,180 meters left of the approach path.

Flight Details and Accident Sequence The aircraft was operating a cargo flight from Sukhumi to Krasnovodsk with intermediate stops at Krasnodar and Rostov-on-Don. The flight carried 12 passengers (pilots and engineers), four crew members, and a cargo load of one ton of mandarins and Christmas trees. Upon departure from Rostov-on-Don Airport, weather conditions were poor due to night and fog, with vertical visibility reduced to 60 meters and horizontal visibility to 720 meters. The aircraft rotated after a takeoff run of 750 meters at a speed of 233 km/h. While climbing to a height of 170 meters at a speed of 320 km/h, the captain requested the flaps to be raised. The aircraft then lost altitude and initiated a descent with a positive acceleration of 1.5 G and a rate of 5-7 meters per second. In a nose-down attitude and at a speed of 405 km/h, the aircraft struck pine trees and crashed in a wooded area located 5 km from the airport, bursting into flames. The accident occurred one minute and 40 seconds after takeoff. The burned wreckage was found 1,180 meters to the left of the approach path. The aircraft was destroyed, and all 16 occupants were killed.

Probable cause

The total weight of the aircraft at the time of the accident was 943 kilos above MTOW while the center of gravity was within limits. Investigations revealed serious shortcomings in the organization and preparation of the flight as well as the training of the various crew members.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 Dec 1982 Antonov AN-26 accident near Rostov-on-Don, Russia?

A cargo flight from Sukhumi to Krasnovodsk crashed shortly after takeoff from Rostov-on-Don in foggy conditions, killing all 16 occupants. The aircraft was found 1,180 meters left of the approach path.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 Dec 1982 Antonov AN-26 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 16 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 Dec 1982 involved an Antonov AN-26, registration CCCP-26627, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Rostov-on-Don, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The total weight of the aircraft at the time of the accident was 943 kilos above MTOW while the center of gravity was within limits. Investigations revealed serious shortcomings in the organization and preparation of the flight as well as the training of the various crew members.

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