Junkers G.24 accident at Nizhnetambovskoye, Russia, 23 Feb 1932 (CCCP-L718)
On February 23, 1932, a Junkers G.24 (registration CCCP-L718) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Nizhnetambovskoye, Russia during landing or approach. 16 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the right wing on approach because of poor repairs of the four supporting beams. The following contributing factors were reported: - Incorrect calculation of the dimensions of the shaped couplings and diameter of the rivets, - Inaccurate record of… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
Probable cause
Failure of the right wing on approach because of poor repairs of the four supporting beams. The following contributing factors were reported: - Incorrect calculation of the dimensions of the shaped couplings and diameter of the rivets, - Inaccurate record of the repairs in the aircraft logbook, - Only spars n°2 and 6 were reported in the logbook, not spars n°4 and 8, - The aircraft was overloaded by 562 kilos upon takeoff from Nikolayevsk-on-Amur as its total weight was 6,862 kg.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The airplane departed Okha on a flight to Khabarovsk with intermediate stops in Nikolayevsk-on-Amur and Nijnetambovskoye. While descending to Nijnetambovskoye, the pilot encountered marginal weather conditions. Because the visibility was limited, he reduced his altitude to minimum. On final approach, at a height of 50 metres, the right wing failed and detached. The airplane nosed down and crashed in a pasture. All 16 occupants were killed.
Probable cause (official findings): Failure of the right wing on approach because of poor repairs of the four supporting beams. The following contributing factors were reported: - Incorrect calculation of the dimensions of the shaped couplings and diameter of the rivets, - Inaccurate record of the repairs in the aircraft logbook, - Only spars n°2 and 6 were reported in the logbook, not spars n°4 and 8, - The aircraft was overloaded by 562 kilos upon takeoff from Nikolayevsk-on-Amur as its total weight was 6,862 kg.