On December 21, 1943, a Lisunov LI-2 (registration CCCP-L4032) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Moscow-Vnukovo, Russia during landing or approach. 3 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Both engines lost power due to a faulty conception in the left fuel tank that allowed air ingestion when fuel levels dropped, compounded by the crew's failure to switch to an additional tank and inadequate pilot response. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A training aircraft crashed into a wooded area near Moscow-Vnukovo after both engines flamed out on final approach, resulting in three fatalities and four serious injuries.
What happened
The incident occurred during a training program at Moscow-Vnukovo. After completing several maneuvers, the crew initiated a new approach. While on final, both engines experienced a flameout. The pilot in command pulled back on the control column, causing the aircraft to nose up and stall. The plane subsequently crashed into a wooded area situated 800 meters from the boundary fence. Three crew members were killed and four others sustained serious injuries.
Findings
The official investigation attributed the dual engine failure to a design flaw in the left fuel tank. The fuel pipe admission was positioned 41 mm above the bottom of the tank, which allowed air to be sucked into the fuel line once the fuel reserve dropped below that level. Although 580 liters of fuel remained in an additional tank, the crew failed to switch to it. The investigation also concluded that the pilot in command's reaction was inadequate.
Probable cause
Both engines lost power due to a faulty conception in the left fuel tank that allowed air ingestion when fuel levels dropped, compounded by the crew's failure to switch to an additional tank and inadequate pilot response.
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