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4 fatalities

Crew Descends Below Minimum Altitude, Strikes Hill Near Irkutsk Airport (CCCP-67235)

Irkutsk, RussiaLanding (descent or approach)

On August 26, 1988, a Let L-410 (registration CCCP-67235) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Irkutsk, Russia during landing or approach. 4 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew descended below the minimum descent altitude following a wrong altimeter setting. At the time of the accident, the crew was very tired due to a duty time over 15 hours and 26 minutes. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft struck trees and crashed on a hill 21 km southeast of Irkutsk-Intl Airport after the crew descended below the minimum descent altitude due to a wrong altimeter setting. All four occupants were killed.

Accident Overview

The accident occurred during a night descent to Irkutsk-Intl Airport. The crew had been cleared to descend to 3,000 meters, then 2,100 meters, and finally to 1,800 meters. However, the crew failed to realize that their altitude was insufficient, and the aircraft struck trees and crashed on the top of a hill 700 meters high, located 21 km southeast of the airport. The aircraft was destroyed, and all four occupants were killed.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the probable cause of the accident was the crew descending below the minimum descent altitude due to a wrong altimeter setting. Additionally, at the time of the accident, the crew was very tired due to a duty time exceeding 15 hours and 26 minutes.

Controlled flight into terrain

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 26 Aug 1988 Let L-410 accident near Irkutsk, Russia?

An aircraft struck trees and crashed on a hill 21 km southeast of Irkutsk-Intl Airport after the crew descended below the minimum descent altitude due to a wrong altimeter setting. All four occupants were killed.

Were there any fatalities in the 26 Aug 1988 Let L-410 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 4 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 26 Aug 1988 involved a Let L-410, registration CCCP-67235, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Irkutsk, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew descended below the minimum descent altitude following a wrong altimeter setting. At the time of the accident, the crew was very tired due to a duty time over 15 hours and 26 minutes.

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