55 fatalities

Aircraft Stalls and Crashes into Icy Lake After Takeoff from Baotou Airport (B-3072)

Baotou, ChinaTakeoff (climb)

On November 21, 2004, a Canadair RegionalJet CRJ-200 (registration B-3072) operated by China Yunnan Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Baotou, China during takeoff. 55 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Loss of lift and subsequent stall after takeoff due to an excessive accumulation of ice and frost on wings, tail and fuselage. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 3 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)Updated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered B-3072
Aircraft registered B-3072. Photo: Paul Massey / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shortly after takeoff from Baotou Airport, an aircraft stalled, struck a house, and crashed into Nanhai Park's icy lake, killing all 53 occupants and two people on the ground.

Incident

Shortly after a departure from runway 13 at Baotou Airport, the aircraft, during its initial climb, encountered difficulties in maintaining a positive rate of climb. It subsequently stalled, collided with a small house, and ultimately crashed into the icy lake of Nanhai Park. The wreckage came to rest approximately 2 kilometers from the airport. All 53 occupants aboard the aircraft lost their lives, along with two individuals in the house.

Investigation

Investigators determined that the aircraft had remained parked outdoors on the ramp throughout the preceding night, during which temperatures were below freezing. The crew failed to deice the airplane prior to takeoff.

Probable Cause

The official finding cited loss of lift and a resulting stall after takeoff, caused by an excessive accumulation of ice and frost on the wings, tail, and fuselage.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 21 Nov 2004 Canadair RegionalJet CRJ-200 accident near Baotou, China?

Shortly after takeoff from Baotou Airport, an aircraft stalled, struck a house, and crashed into Nanhai Park's icy lake, killing all 53 occupants and two people on the ground.

Were there any fatalities in the 21 Nov 2004 Canadair RegionalJet CRJ-200 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 55 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 21 Nov 2004 involved a Canadair RegionalJet CRJ-200, registration B-3072, operated by China Yunnan Airlines, at Baotou, China.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Loss of lift and subsequent stall after takeoff due to an excessive accumulation of ice and frost on wings, tail and fuselage. It was determined that the aircraft remained parked outside, on the ramp, all preceding night by negative temperature and that the crew failed to deice the airplane prior to takeoff.