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Batumi–Sukhumi Flight Ditching in the Black Sea (CCCP-96224)

Tsikhisdziri Cape, GeorgiaFlight

On September 9, 1966, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-96224) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Tsikhisdziri Cape, Georgia in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Engine failure due to problems with the magnetos. 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 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft ditched in the Black Sea after an engine failure during a Batumi–Sukhumi flight with a stop at Poti. One passenger died; 11 others were rescued by a fishing vessel.

Incident Overview The aircraft was operating a flight from Batumi to Sukhumi with an intermediate stop at Poti. Ten minutes after takeoff from Batumi Airport, the engine failed while the aircraft was cruising at a height of 250 meters, approximately two kilometers offshore. ## Ditching and Rescue The crew decided to ditch the aircraft into the Black Sea near a fishing vessel, about 1.8 kilometers off Cape Tsikhisdziri. One passenger was killed, while all 11 other occupants were rescued and picked up by the crew of the fishing vessel. ## Wreckage Recovery The aircraft sank, and the wreckage was recovered from a depth of approximately 34 to 36 meters on 14 September 1966.

Probable cause

Engine failure due to problems with the magnetos.
Engine failure

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 9 Sept 1966 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident near Tsikhisdziri Cape, Georgia?

An aircraft ditched in the Black Sea after an engine failure during a Batumi–Sukhumi flight with a stop at Poti. One passenger died; 11 others were rescued by a fishing vessel.

Were there any fatalities in the 9 Sept 1966 PZL-Mielec AN-2 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 1 fatality.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 9 Sept 1966 involved a PZL-Mielec AN-2, registration CCCP-96224, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Tsikhisdziri Cape, Georgia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Engine failure due to problems with the magnetos.

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