FlightFinder
102 fatalities

1972-08-31: Ilyushin II-18 (CCCP-74298) — Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines — Magnitogorsk, Russia

Magnitogorsk, RussiaLanding (descent or approach)

On August 31, 1972, an Ilyushin II-18 (registration CCCP-74298) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Magnitogorsk, Russia during landing or approach. 102 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The cause of the disaster was the intensive development of a fire that broke out in the rear cargo hold, which led to a complete or partial loss of the crew's working capacity, the impossibility of visual flight and observation of instruments due to smoke in… 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 1781233663Data APIEditorial standards

A four-engine aircraft on a scheduled flight from Karaganda to Moscow crashed during an emergency descent after smoke was reported in the cabin. All 102 occupants died. The investigation attributed the accident to a fire in the rear cargo hold, likely ignited by pyrotechnic devices or flammable materials in baggage.

Overview

On a scheduled passenger service from Karaganda Airport to Moscow-Domodedovo, a four-engine aircraft departed at 0831 local time as flight SU558. While cruising at an altitude of 7,200 meters, the crew reported smoke in both the cabin and cockpit to air traffic control and requested a diversion to Magnitogorsk Airport for an emergency landing.

Sequence of Events

During the descent, while maintaining a speed of 370 km/h in a flat attitude with the landing gear and flaps retracted, the aircraft struck the ground and burst into flames in an open field located 23 kilometers north of Magnitogorsk Airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed, and all 102 occupants on board were killed.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation determined that the accident was caused by an intensive fire that developed in the rear cargo hold. The fire led to a complete or partial loss of crew working capacity, rendered visual flight and instrument observation impossible due to smoke in the cockpit, and eliminated any possibility of a successful outcome. The most likely source of the fire was the triggering of pyrotechnic devices or the ignition or self-ignition of flammable materials in passenger baggage, traces of which were found in the remains of the baggage.

Probable cause

The cause of the disaster was the intensive development of a fire that broke out in the rear cargo hold, which led to a complete or partial loss of the crew's working capacity, the impossibility of visual flight and observation of instruments due to smoke in the cockpit and the exclusion of the possibility of a successful flight outcome. The most likely cause of the fire was the triggering of pyrotechnic devices, the ignition or self-ignition of flammable materials in the baggage of passengers whose traces were found in the remains of baggage.
In-flight fire & smoke

Related events

Same operator

More accident analyses