6 fatalities

Cargo Aircraft Crash Due to Improper Elevator Trim Setting (CCCP-L4068)

Gorki, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On February 12, 1944, a Lisunov LI-2 (registration CCCP-L4068) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Gorki, Russia during takeoff. 6 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew failed to follow the pre-departure checklist, leaving elevator trim tabs at a positive 12-degree angle which caused an immediate post-takeoff stall. 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 2026-08-05Data APIEditorial standards

A cargo plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Kuybyshev, killing all six occupants. The accident was caused by the crew failing to neutralize elevator trim tabs before departure.

What happened

The incident occurred during a scheduled cargo flight bound for Kuybyshev. The aircraft was transporting a mixed load of goods, specifically studs, cord, and gloves. Shortly after lifting off from the runway, the plane began its initial climb. At an altitude of approximately 40 meters, the airframe entered an aerodynamic stall. Following this loss of lift, the aircraft banked to the right and descended rapidly. It impacted the ground roughly 200 meters beyond the perimeter fence, resulting in a massive explosion. All six occupants aboard were killed in the crash.

Findings

The official investigation concluded that the accident resulted from inadequate pre-flight preparation. The crew failed to adhere to the required pre-departure checklist procedures. Specifically, they did not verify the position of the elevator trim tabs before takeoff. These tabs were left at a positive angle of 12 degrees rather than being set to neutral. This configuration forced the aircraft into a nose-up attitude immediately after rotation, leading directly to the stall and subsequent crash.

Probable cause

The crew failed to follow the pre-departure checklist, leaving elevator trim tabs at a positive 12-degree angle which caused an immediate post-takeoff stall.