Aircraft accident near runway end following engine failure

3 fatalities • Kirov, Russia • Takeoff (climb)

An aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff due to an engine malfunction and subsequent loss of airspeed, resulting in three fatalities.

What happened

During the takeoff roll, the aircraft traveled 430 meters over a period of 26 seconds. Upon reaching a speed of 120 km/h, the pilot-in-command began the rotation. The flight progressed into a climb, but at an altitude of approximately 10 meters, the left engine experienced a failure.

The aircraft maintained its ascent until it reached 50 meters above the ground. At this stage, the plane entered a steep left bank of 80 degrees. This maneuver led to an aerodynamic stall, causing the aircraft to impact the ground near the end of the runway at a speed of 170 km/h. The accident resulted in three fatalities among the crew members, while all six passengers sustained injuries.

Findings

Investigation into the engine failure revealed that the malfunction originated from the failure of the valve in the ninth cylinder. Additionally, it was determined that an improper response by the crew led to a critical drop in airspeed, which triggered the stall and subsequent crash.

Several contributing factors were identified, including inadequate flight organization and insufficient supervision regarding crew training. Furthermore, the decision by the captain to proceed with the takeoff without a flight engineer on board was noted as a significant factor in the accident.

Probable cause

The engine failure caused by a cylinder valve malfunction, combined with an improper crew response that led to a loss of airspeed and an aerodynamic stall.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1974-03-22 Lisunov LI-2 accident near Kirov, Russia?

An aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff due to an engine malfunction and subsequent loss of airspeed, resulting in three fatalities.

Were there any fatalities in the 1974-03-22 Lisunov LI-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 3 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1974-03-22 involved a Lisunov LI-2, registration CCCP-73960, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Kirov, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The engine failure caused by a cylinder valve malfunction, combined with an improper crew response that led to a loss of airspeed and an aerodynamic stall.

Loading the flight search…