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Both Engines Fail During Test Flight, Crew Ditch in Moscow Reservoir (CCCP-65607)

Ikshinskoye Reservoir, RussiaLanding (descent or approach)

On July 17, 1972, a Tupolev TU-134 (registration CCCP-65607) operated by GOSNII GA - Gosudarstvenny Issledovatelny Institut Grazhdanskoi Aviatsii was involved in an aviation accident near Ikshinskoye Reservoir, Russia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: It was determined that both engines failed because during the test, all electrical systems were out of order. The crew forgot that the fuel transfer system was unserviceable as well and that the fuel should be transferred manually. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

During a test flight from Moscow-Sheremetyevo, both engines failed when all electrical systems were turned off. The crew attempted a restart but failed, and the captain ditched the aircraft in the Ikshinskoye Reservoir. All five crew members escaped uninjured.

Accident

A test flight departed Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport with the objective of evaluating the maximum battery life by turning off all generators. While executing a turn at an altitude of 400 meters during the approach phase, both engines failed simultaneously. The crew attempted to restart the engines but were unsuccessful. The captain then decided to ditch the aircraft into the Ikshinskoye Reservoir, part of the Moscow Canal, located 18 kilometers north of Sheremetyevo Airport. The aircraft came to rest partially submerged in the reservoir and was subsequently recovered. All five crew members escaped without injury.

Probable Cause

The official investigation determined that both engines failed because all electrical systems were inoperative during the test. Additionally, the crew overlooked that the fuel transfer system was also unserviceable and required manual fuel transfer. This situation necessitated the ditching of the aircraft.

Fuel exhaustion & starvation

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