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7 fatalities

Single-Engine Airplane Crashes into Mount Aag, Killing All Seven Occupants (CCCP-70453)

Mt Aag, RussiaFlight

On November 5, 1977, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-70453) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Mt Aag, Russia in flight. 7 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew descended into clouds without knowing their exact position and without visual contact with the ground (mountains). Strong atmospheric downdrafts and strong winds from the west were considered as contributing factors. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A single-engine airplane on a flight from Milkovo Airport crashed into the north face of Mount Aag after entering clouds and encountering strong downdrafts. All seven occupants were killed. The wreckage was discovered a day later, and an avalanche moved it 700 meters two days after the crash.

Accident Overview

A single-engine airplane departed Milkovo Airport at 1117 local time, bound south. En route, weather conditions deteriorated, and clouds developed over the Sredinny Mountain Range. While descending to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky-Galaktyrka Airport, the aircraft entered clouds at an altitude of 2,400 meters.

Circumstances

At an altitude of 2,200 meters, the airplane encountered strong downdrafts, subsequently lost height, and crashed on the north face of Mount Aag, which is 2,230 meters high. The accident site was located approximately 28 kilometers northeast of Galaktyrka Airport. The burned wreckage was spotted a day later in deep snow, and it was confirmed that all seven occupants were killed. Two days after the crash, an avalanche dragged the wreckage for nearly 700 meters. Only the copilot's body was later recovered.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that the crew descended into clouds without knowing their exact position and without visual contact with the ground (mountains). Strong atmospheric downdrafts and strong winds from the west were considered as contributing factors.

Weather

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 5 Nov 1977 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Mt Aag, Russia?

A single-engine airplane on a flight from Milkovo Airport crashed into the north face of Mount Aag after entering clouds and encountering strong downdrafts. All seven occupants were killed. The wreckage was discovered a day later, and an avalanche moved it 700 meters two days after the crash.

Were there any fatalities in the 5 Nov 1977 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 7 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 5 Nov 1977 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-70453, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Mt Aag, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew descended into clouds without knowing their exact position and without visual contact with the ground (mountains). Strong atmospheric downdrafts and strong winds from the west were considered as contributing factors.

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