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Cargo Aircraft Crash at Saransk Airport (CCCP-26095)

Saransk-Intl, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On February 6, 1986, an Antonov AN-26 (registration CCCP-26095) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Saransk-Intl, Russia during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot-in-command misinterpreted red lights on the localizer and inner marker beacon for the anti-collision lights of an approaching aircraft and initiated a left turn to avoid a collision when control was lost. 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 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Saransk Airport at night, injuring all six crew members. The official investigation attributed the accident to pilot error and incorrect mass and balance.

Incident Overview and Flight Details The aircraft was operating a cargo flight from Nizhnevartovsk to Gomel, with intermediate stops at Sverdlovsk and Saransk. At the time of the accident, the aircraft was carrying six crew members and a load of 2,100 kilograms of various goods. The incident occurred during the night departure from Saransk Airport. Less than one minute after takeoff, while climbing at an altitude of 150 meters, the aircraft entered a left turn, lost height, and crashed at a speed of 390 km/h. The rate of descent was recorded at 4.3 meters per second. The impact occurred two kilometers past the runway end, resulting in the destruction of the aircraft and injuries to all six occupants.

Probable cause

The pilot-in-command misinterpreted red lights on the localizer and inner marker beacon for the anti-collision lights of an approaching aircraft and initiated a left turn to avoid a collision when control was lost. No aircraft was approaching Saransk Airport at the time. Additionally, the mass and balance was incorrect because the total weight of the cargo was 3,500 kilograms instead of 2,100 kilograms.

Related events

Same operator

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