Aircraft stall and crash following takeoff from Sverdlovsk-Koltsovo Airport

6 fatalities • Sverdlovsk-Koltsovo, Russia • Takeoff (climb)

An aircraft crashed shortly after departing Sverdlovsk-Koltsovo Airport during its initial climb, resulting in five total fatalities and ten injuries.

What happened

During the initial climb phase, approximately one minute after departing from Sverdlovsk-Koltsovo Airport, the aircraft experienced significant difficulties maintaining altitude. The plane began oscillating with left and right banking motions before entering a stall. The impact occurred roughly 250 meters beyond the runway threshold, with the debris field located 150 meters to the left of the runway centerline.

The accident resulted in five fatalities (including one passenger who succumbed to injuries two weeks later) and ten injuries. The occupants of the flight included the pilot, a co-pilot, and three passengers.

Findings

Investigation into the crash revealed that the flaps were set to 25° for takeoff, which was an excessive setting for this specific procedure. This configuration caused the aircraft to rotate at an insufficient airspeed, leading to a loss of lateral control and stability.

Investigators also noted that the flight crew failed to recognize or correct the abnormal flight characteristics during the climb, potentially due to diverted attention. Furthermore, crew fatigue was identified as a contributing factor, as the pilots had been on duty for over 13 hours following a previous 17-hour duty period.

Probable cause

The aircraft stalled due to insufficient airspeed caused by improper flap settings during takeoff, exacerbated by crew fatigue and failure to correct the flight path.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1954-11-12 Lisunov LI-2 accident near Sverdlovsk-Koltsovo, Russia?

An aircraft crashed shortly after departing Sverdlovsk-Koltsovo Airport during its initial climb, resulting in five total fatalities and ten injuries.

Were there any fatalities in the 1954-11-12 Lisunov LI-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 6 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1954-11-12 involved a Lisunov LI-2, registration CCCP-L4519, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Sverdlovsk-Koltsovo, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The aircraft stalled due to insufficient airspeed caused by improper flap settings during takeoff, exacerbated by crew fatigue and failure to correct the flight path.

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