40 fatalities

2006-06-03: Shaanxi Y-8 — Chinese Air Force - AFPLA - Chung-Kuo Shan Min Taie Fang Tsun Pu-Tai — Yao, China

Yao, ChinaFlight

On June 3, 2006, a Shaanxi Y-8 operated by Chinese Air Force - AFPLA - Chung-Kuo Shan Min Taie Fang Tsun Pu-Tai was involved in an aviation accident near Yao, China in flight. 40 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and suffered structural failure after encountering icing conditions during cruise. 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 1781198842Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed in a bamboo forest near Yao after encountering icing conditions during cruise flight, resulting in no survivors.

What happened

During a flight at a cruising altitude of 8,000 metres, the aircraft encountered atmospheric icing conditions. Following this encounter, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent. During the descent, the airframe experienced partial disintegration before impacting a bamboo forest situated in the vicinity of Yao. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft.

Findings

  • The aircraft was operating in icing conditions at the time of the incident.
  • The descent became uncontrolled following the encounter with ice.
  • The crash resulted in 40 fatalities and no survivors.

Probable cause

The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and suffered structural failure after encountering icing conditions during cruise.