FlightFinder
Check my flight
15 fatalities

Mid-Air Collision Near Ust-Kulom Airport Kills 15 (CCCP-01808)

Ust-Kulom, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On November 26, 1981, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-01808) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Ust-Kulom, Russia during takeoff. 15 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The collision was the consequence of: the crew of AN-2 CCCP-01808 failing to follow the departure route and altitude procedures; limited visibility due to low clouds; lack of ATC assistance in transmitting suitable information to both crews; and late… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 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 collided with an inbound Aeroflot AN-2TP near Ust-Kulom Airport, killing all 15 occupants. The collision resulted from crew errors, limited visibility, and ATC failures.

Accident Overview

Shortly after takeoff from Ust-Kulom Airport, a single-engine aircraft en route to Syktyvkar collided with an inbound Aeroflot PZL-Mielec AN-2TP (registration CCCP-40564). The inbound aircraft, on a flight from Syktyvkar to Ust-Kulom, landed without further incident. The departing aircraft, an AN-2 registered CCCP-01808, entered a dive and crashed in a field approximately 12 kilometers from the airport. All 15 occupants on board were killed. At the time of the accident, visibility was reduced due to low clouds.

Probable Cause

The official probable cause determined that the collision was the consequence of: the crew of AN-2 CCCP-01808 failing to follow the departure route and altitude procedures; limited visibility due to low clouds; lack of ATC assistance in transmitting suitable information to both crews; and late detection of the climbing aircraft by the inbound crew.

Midair collision

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 26 Nov 1981 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Ust-Kulom, Russia?

A single-engine airplane collided with an inbound Aeroflot AN-2TP near Ust-Kulom Airport, killing all 15 occupants. The collision resulted from crew errors, limited visibility, and ATC failures.

Were there any fatalities in the 26 Nov 1981 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 15 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 26 Nov 1981 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-01808, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Ust-Kulom, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The collision was the consequence of: the crew of AN-2 CCCP-01808 failing to follow the departure route and altitude procedures; limited visibility due to low clouds; lack of ATC assistance in transmitting suitable information to both crews; and late detection of the climbing aircraft by the inbound crew.

More accident analyses