Aircraft crash in Kyrgyzstan's Kara-Kiyakyr Mountain Range

2 fatalities • Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan • Flight

A positioning flight crashed into a mountain slope near Suzak after encountering severe weather conditions during its descent.

What happened

During a repositioning flight traveling from Jalal-Abad toward the "Komsomol" Airstrip in the Bazar-Kurgan district, an aircraft encountered heavy fog and low cloud cover. Approximately nine minutes after departing, the flight entered the Kara-Kiyakyr Mountain Range, where visibility had fallen below safe minimums.

As the aircraft moved through the mountains, it struck a mountain slope at an elevation of 970 meters. The impact occurred on a peak measuring 1,163 meters in height, situated west of Suzak and roughly 10.5 kilometers southwest of Jalal-Abad Airport. The accident resulted in two fatalities, including one pilot, and the death of a single passenger who was serving as an aircraft mechanic. Only one individual survived the impact with injuries.

Findings

Investigations into the crash identified several contributing factors related to flight decision-making and communication. The primary cause was the captain's decision to proceed through weather that did not meet minimum visibility requirements, coupled with a delayed attempt to execute a return maneuver.

Additionally, air traffic control services failed to notify the crew regarding deteriorating weather conditions along the route or provide necessary information concerning the minimum safe altitude for that specific area. The investigation also noted that meteorological bulletins provided to the flight crew were insufficient and lacked complete data.

Probable cause

The pilot's decision to continue flying into low-visibility conditions and the delayed attempt to return to the airport led to the collision.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1979-02-18 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan?

A positioning flight crashed into a mountain slope near Suzak after encountering severe weather conditions during its descent.

Were there any fatalities in the 1979-02-18 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 2 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1979-02-18 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-07837, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Jalal-Abad, Kyrgyzstan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's decision to continue flying into low-visibility conditions and the delayed attempt to return to the airport led to the collision.

Loading the flight search…