No fatalities

Overweight Aircraft Crash at Lugovoi (CCCP-70277)

Lugovoi, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On December 12, 1987, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-70277) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Lugovoi, Russia during takeoff. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft's weight was 1,200 kilos above MTOW. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 5 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-11Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Lugovoi due to excessive weight. The plane carried 50 bags of fish, exceeding its maximum takeoff weight by 1,200 kg, leading to a loss of altitude and speed.

Incident Overview

An aviation accident occurred involving an aircraft departing from Lugovoi. Prior to the flight, the crew loaded significant cargo onto the plane, specifically fifty bags of fish weighing twenty-five kilograms each, along with other unspecified items.

Flight Dynamics and Crash Sequence

Immediately after liftoff, the aircraft exhibited poor performance characteristics. It struggled to gain altitude and maintained an airspeed that was insufficient for safe flight operations. The aircraft subsequently rolled to the right, lost height, and ultimately crashed into the ground. The source material does not specify the fate of the occupants.

Investigation Findings

The official investigation identified a critical violation of weight limits as the primary factor in the accident. It was determined that the total weight of the aircraft at takeoff exceeded its Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) by 1,200 kilograms. This excessive load directly contributed to the aircraft's inability to achieve necessary climb performance and speed.

Probable cause

The aircraft's weight was 1,200 kilos above MTOW.