Tupolev ANT-7 (PS-7) accident at Ust-Kut, Russia, 30 Jun 1940 (CCCP-L2154)
On June 30, 1940, a Tupolev ANT-7 (PS-7) (registration CCCP-L2154) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Ust-Kut, Russia in flight. One person was killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that the engine failed in flight due to a fuel issue that was caused either by: - the fuel valve was closed; - a foreign object obstructed the fuel line; _ the fuel pump failed. 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.
Probable cause
It was determined that the engine failed in flight due to a fuel issue that was caused either by: - the fuel valve was closed; - a foreign object obstructed the fuel line; _ the fuel pump failed.
— NTSB Determination
Accident narrative
The airplane departed Irkutsk on a flight to Yakutsk with intermediate stops in Balagansk and Ust-Kut, carrying three passengers, two crew members, 240 kg of bagages and 727 kg of mail. Approaching Ust-Kut, the engine lost power and started vibrating. The pilot shut it down and attempted an emergency landing when the airplane clipped trees and crashed in a wooded area located 50 km south of Ust-Kut. The captain was killed while four other occupants were injured. The following day, they walked through the taïga and found rescue.
Probable cause (official findings): It was determined that the engine failed in flight due to a fuel issue that was caused either by: - the fuel valve was closed; - a foreign object obstructed the fuel line; _ the fuel pump failed.