8 fatalities

Aircraft Struck Ground and Power Cables After Insufficient Speed Takeoff at Minsk Airport (CCCP-01405)

Minsk, BelarusTakeoff (climb)

On July 21, 1960, an Ilyushin II-12 (registration CCCP-01405) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Minsk, Belarus during takeoff. 8 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Wrong takeoff configuration on part of the flying crew who started the rotation at an insufficient speed, causing the aircraft to be in a high angle of attack and in stall conditions immediately after liftoff. 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

During takeoff at Minsk Airport, after a 750-meter ground roll, the pilot rotated at insufficient speed, causing a high angle of attack and stall. The aircraft struck the ground four times, hit power cables, and crashed into a truck parking lot. Eight occupants were killed and others injured.

Event Description

At Minsk Airport, the pilot-in-command completed the rotation after a takeoff roll of 750 meters. Due to insufficient speed, the airplane climbed with a high angle of attack, quickly achieving a nose-high attitude and entering stall conditions. The aircraft subsequently struck the ground four times, then impacted power cables before crashing onto a truck parking lot. The aircraft was destroyed. All four crew members and four passengers were killed; the remaining occupants sustained injuries.

Investigation Findings

The investigation determined that the probable cause was a wrong takeoff configuration by the flight crew, who initiated rotation at an insufficient speed. This placed the aircraft in a high angle of attack and stall condition immediately after liftoff. A contributing factor was the soggy condition of the runway, which slowed the aircraft during takeoff due to an excessive accumulation of water on the lower part of the wing, reducing aerodynamic capabilities.