On December 16, 1973, a Tupolev TU-124 (registration CCCP-45061) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Karacharovo, Russia in flight. 51 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: An electrical short-circuit occurred in the elevator trim system, causing the elevator to be jammed in a down position. In such conditions, the airplane entered a dive and became uncontrollable after the gyro failed as well. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 6 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
An aircraft experienced an elevator trim system short-circuit, entered a dive, was temporarily recovered, but a subsequent gyro failure led to loss of control and a high-speed impact, killing all 51 occupants.
Incident Overview
The crew was cleared to descend to 5,700 meters when a technical issue occurred on the elevator trim system. The airplane entered a dive. During the descent, the captain was able to regain control at an altitude of 2,000 meters. While flying by night, the gyro failed and the pilot suffered spatial disorientation. He then lost control of the airplane again. The aircraft dove into the ground and crashed in a near-vertical attitude at a speed of 900 km/h in an open field located about 480 meters from Karacharovo. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 51 occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
An electrical short-circuit occurred in the elevator trim system, causing the elevator to be jammed in a down position. In such conditions, the airplane entered a dive and became uncontrollable after the gyro failed as well.
What happened in the 16 Dec 1973 Tupolev TU-124 accident near Karacharovo, Russia?
An aircraft experienced an elevator trim system short-circuit, entered a dive, was temporarily recovered, but a subsequent gyro failure led to loss of control and a high-speed impact, killing all 51 occupants.
Were there any fatalities in the 16 Dec 1973 Tupolev TU-124 accident?
The accident was fatal, resulting in 51 fatalities.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 16 Dec 1973 involved a Tupolev TU-124, registration CCCP-45061, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Karacharovo, Russia.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
An electrical short-circuit occurred in the elevator trim system, causing the elevator to be jammed in a down position. In such conditions, the airplane entered a dive and became uncontrollable after the gyro failed as well.
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