13 fatalities

Aircraft Crashes After Takeoff from Omsk Airport with Locked Rudder (CCCP-70177)

Omsk-Intl, RussiaTakeoff (climb)

On April 15, 1975, a PZL-Mielec AN-2 (registration CCCP-70177) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Omsk-Intl, Russia during takeoff. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: At Omsk Airport, strong winds forced a local technicians team to lock the aircraft rudder while parked on apron. Following negligences on part of the crew, takeoff was initiated with a locked rudder. 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)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

Shortly after takeoff from Omsk Airport, an aircraft stalled and crashed inverted in flames. The accident killed 11 occupants and seriously injured the copilot and two passengers, who later died. Investigation revealed takeoff with a locked rudder.

Accident

Shortly after takeoff from Omsk Airport, while climbing to a height of 10 meters, the pilot-in-command encountered an unexpected situation and reduced the engine power, apparently to attempt an emergency landing. The airplane banked left then stalled and crashed inverted in flames in a field located 128 meters to the left of the runway and about 180 meters past its end. Two passengers and the copilot were seriously injured while 11 other occupants were killed. A day later, both passengers who survived died from their injuries.

Investigation

An investigation determined the probable cause of the accident. At Omsk Airport, strong winds forced a local technicians team to lock the aircraft rudder while parked on apron. Following negligences on part of the crew, takeoff was initiated with a locked rudder. The following findings were reported: the technicians failed to report to the crew that the rudder has been locked by ground personnel; the crew failed to follow the pre-takeoff checklist; the crew failed to conduct a visual inspection of the airplane prior to takeoff; the crew failed to follow the published procedures prior to takeoff; the crew failed to proceed to a test of the rudder, ailerons and elevators during the taxi procedure.

No further details about the aircraft type, registration, operator, or date have been released.