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70 fatalities

Aircraft Crash at Kuybyshev-Kurumoch Airport (CCCP-65766)

Kuybyshev, RussiaLanding (descent or approach)

On October 20, 1986, a Tupolev TU-134 (registration CCCP-65766) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Kuybyshev, Russia during landing or approach. 70 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Decision of the captain to attempt a 'blind' approach in violation of the published procedures. He also decided to continue the approach after he passed the decision height and failed to initiate a go-around maneuver. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed at Kuybyshev-Kurumoch Airport after the captain attempted a prohibited blind approach and continued past decision height. The impact killed 64 occupants and injured 30.

Incident Overview and Approach Details Following an uneventful flight from Sverdlovsk-Koltsovo Airport, the crew began an approach to Kuybyshev-Kurumoch Airport. For training purposes, the captain decided to attempt a 'blind' approach and closed the window blinds on his side, which was prohibited in such conditions. At decision height, he decided to continue and failed to realize the configuration was wrong. The aircraft passed over the runway 15 threshold and one second prior to impact, the flight engineer opened the window blinds but this was too late. ## Impact and Aftermath At a speed of 280 km/h and with a rate of descent of 5 meters per second, the aircraft struck the runway surface with a positive acceleration of 4.8 g. This caused the left wing to be partially torn off. Out of control, the aircraft continued for about 214 meters then came to rest upside down, bursting into flames. 64 occupants were killed while 30 others were injured, some seriously. Within few hours, six of the survivors died from their injuries.

Probable cause

Decision of the captain to attempt a 'blind' approach in violation of the published procedures. He also decided to continue the approach after he passed the decision height and failed to initiate a go-around maneuver. There was no reaction or any correction from the rest of the flying crew.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 20 Oct 1986 Tupolev TU-134 accident near Kuybyshev, Russia?

An aircraft crashed at Kuybyshev-Kurumoch Airport after the captain attempted a prohibited blind approach and continued past decision height. The impact killed 64 occupants and injured 30.

Were there any fatalities in the 20 Oct 1986 Tupolev TU-134 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 70 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 20 Oct 1986 involved a Tupolev TU-134, registration CCCP-65766, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Kuybyshev, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Decision of the captain to attempt a 'blind' approach in violation of the published procedures. He also decided to continue the approach after he passed the decision height and failed to initiate a go-around maneuver. There was no reaction or any correction from the rest of the flying crew.

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