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108 fatalities

Aircraft Crash at Chongqing-Baishiyi Airport (B-222)

Chongqing-Baishiyi, ChinaLanding (descent or approach)

On January 18, 1988, an Ilyushin II-18 (registration B-222) operated by China Southwest Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Chongqing-Baishiyi, China during landing or approach. 108 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The number 4 engine right starter generator became so hot that the feathering oil tube was burnt. The oil tube burst upon feathering of the prop and the engine caught fire. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered B-222
Aircraft registered B-222. Photo: Michael Perkin / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An aircraft crashed on a hill 5.7 km short of Chongqing-Baishiyi Airport after engine 4 failed and caught fire, killing all 108 occupants.

Incident Overview and Sequence of Events At 2150 local time, an aircraft was on approach to Chongqing-Baishiyi Airport when its number 4 engine failed. Seven minutes after the failure, the engine caught fire and subsequently detached from the airframe. The captain determined that the aircraft would not be able to reach the airport and attempted an emergency landing. During the approach, the aircraft struck power cables and crashed on a hill located 5.7 km short of the runway. The aircraft burst into flames and disintegrated on impact, resulting in the deaths of all 108 occupants on board. ## Official Probable Cause The official investigation determined that the right starter generator of the number 4 engine became excessively hot, causing the feathering oil tube to burn. When the propeller was feathered, the damaged oil tube burst, leading to an engine fire.

Engine failure

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 18 Jan 1988 Ilyushin II-18 accident near Chongqing-Baishiyi, China?

An aircraft crashed on a hill 5.7 km short of Chongqing-Baishiyi Airport after engine 4 failed and caught fire, killing all 108 occupants.

Were there any fatalities in the 18 Jan 1988 Ilyushin II-18 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 108 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 18 Jan 1988 involved an Ilyushin II-18, registration B-222, operated by China Southwest Airlines, at Chongqing-Baishiyi, China.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The number 4 engine right starter generator became so hot that the feathering oil tube was burnt. The oil tube burst upon feathering of the prop and the engine caught fire.

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