On May 16, 2003, an Antonov AN-3 (registration RA-05881) operated by Polyarnye Avialinii (Polar Airlines) was involved in an aviation accident near Sangar, Russia in flight. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the engine in flight after melted snow and ice entered the engine air intake. The following contributing factors were identified: - The crew failed to feather the propeller after the engine failed, causing high drag, - The crew modified his route… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft en route from Sangar to Yakutsk-Magan Airport crashed after an engine failure in snowfall, injuring all 13 occupants. The aircraft was destroyed.
Accident Overview
While cruising at an altitude of 1,000 meters in snowfall, the aircraft experienced an engine failure. The crew attempted an emergency landing, but the aircraft struck trees and crashed in a swampy, wooded area approximately 45 kilometers from Sangar. All 13 occupants sustained injuries, and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the engine failure occurred after melted snow and ice entered the engine air intake. Contributing factors included the crew's failure to feather the propeller after the engine failed, which caused high drag; the crew's modification of their route and continuation at the prescribed altitude; poor weather conditions that did not allow flight under visual flight rules (VFR); and a lack of air traffic control assistance.
What happened in the 16 May 2003 Antonov AN-3 accident near Sangar, Russia?
An aircraft en route from Sangar to Yakutsk-Magan Airport crashed after an engine failure in snowfall, injuring all 13 occupants. The aircraft was destroyed.
Were there any fatalities in the 16 May 2003 Antonov AN-3 accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 16 May 2003 involved an Antonov AN-3, registration RA-05881, operated by Polyarnye Avialinii (Polar Airlines), at Sangar, Russia.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Failure of the engine in flight after melted snow and ice entered the engine air intake. The following contributing factors were identified: - The crew failed to feather the propeller after the engine failed, causing high drag, - The crew modified his route and continued the prescribed altitude, - Weather conditions…
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