Beriev MP-1 accident at Okha, Russia, 7 Jul 1943 (CCCP-L2195)
On July 7, 1943, a Beriev MP-1 (registration CCCP-L2195) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Okha, Russia during landing or approach. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident resulted from negligence on the part of the pilots who failed to follow the procedures for the approach and landing. Lack of discipline and responsibility on part of the pilot who delegated control to the first officer without any supervision. 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.
Probable cause
The accident resulted from negligence on the part of the pilots who failed to follow the procedures for the approach and landing. Lack of discipline and responsibility on part of the pilot who delegated control to the first officer without any supervision. A traffic pattern was required, but the crew failed to follow this procedure and instead performed a direct approach with an excessive bank turn of 45°. The copilot, in addition to blatantly violating the flight manual, demonstrated negligence, notably arrogance and recklessness during the turn. It was this negligence, and not a piloting error, that caused the loss of airspeed during the turn, leading the aircraft into an aerodynamic stall.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
On approach to Okha on a flight from Khabarovsk, at a height of 250-300 metres, the copilot at controls initiated a 45° bank turn when the seaplane stalled and crashed into the bay. Three crew members were rescued with various injuries while five other occupants were killed.
Probable cause (official findings): The accident resulted from negligence on the part of the pilots who failed to follow the procedures for the approach and landing. Lack of discipline and responsibility on part of the pilot who delegated control to the first officer without any supervision. A traffic pattern was required, but the crew failed to follow this procedure and instead performed a direct approach with an excessive bank turn of 45°. The copilot, in addition to blatantly violating the flight manual, demonstrated negligence, notably arrogance and recklessness during the turn. It was this negligence, and not a piloting error, that caused the loss of airspeed during the turn, leading the aircraft into an aerodynamic stall.