Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) accident at Maladechna, Belarus, 11 Nov 1944 (CCCP-L835)
On November 11, 1944, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3) (registration CCCP-L835) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Maladechna, Belarus during landing or approach. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Wrong decision on part of the captain who decided to land in a disused airfield in below minima weather conditions. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
Wrong decision on part of the captain who decided to land in a disused airfield in below minima weather conditions.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
On the leg from Moscow to Minsk of a flight from Moscow to Lublin, the crew encountered below minima weather conditions with low clouds and poor visibility. The captain failed to return, lost his orientation and missed Minsk Airport. So he decided to land at the disused airfield at Buylo located about 19 km east of Maladechna. The aircraft came in too fast, bounced, touched down again after 600 meters and ended up in the trench of an anti-aircraft artillery position. It came to rest on its nose. A passenger was killed while 8 other passengers were slightly injured. All five crew members escaped unhurt.
Probable cause (official findings): Wrong decision on part of the captain who decided to land in a disused airfield in below minima weather conditions.