Polikarpov P-5 accident at Mt Gora Markou, Turkmenistan, 18 Apr 1942 (CCCP-L1732)
On April 18, 1942, a Polikarpov P-5 (registration CCCP-L1732) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Mt Gora Markou, Turkmenistan in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the pilot lost control of the airplane after he encountered very bad weather conditions with clouds and atmospheric turbulences. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 7 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
Probable cause
The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the pilot lost control of the airplane after he encountered very bad weather conditions with clouds and atmospheric turbulences.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The pilot departed Ashgabat Airport to collect meteorological data. While flying in poor weather conditions, he lost control of the airplane that crashed on the slope of Mt Gora Markou (1,530 metres high) located about 25 km west of Ashgabat. As the airplane failed to return to base, SAR operations were initiated and the wreckage was found a week later, on April 25, some 20-30 metres below the summit of the mountain. The airplane was destroyed and the pilot was killed.
Probable cause (official findings): The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, it is believed that the pilot lost control of the airplane after he encountered very bad weather conditions with clouds and atmospheric turbulences.