FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Fuel Exhaustion Leads to Emergency Landing near Shevshenko Airport (CCCP-87902)

Aktau, KazakhstanLanding (descent or approach)

On January 16, 1982, a Yakovlev Yak-40 (registration CCCP-87902) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Aktau, Kazakhstan during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The airplane ran out of fuel because the crew miscalculated the fuel quantity before departure. Also, he lost his orientation en route while cruising in poor weather conditions consisting of snow falls and strong winds. 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 2026-07-04Data APIEditorial standards

A positioning flight ran out of fuel while descending to Shevshenko Airport, forcing an emergency belly landing in a field. All three crew members sustained minor injuries; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Official findings cited fuel miscalculation and loss of orientation in poor weather.

Incident Overview

While descending to Shevshenko Airport on a positioning flight, the crew realized that the aircraft had run out of fuel. They were forced to attempt an emergency landing. The aircraft belly landed in an open field a few kilometers from the airport and came to rest. All three crew members escaped with minor injuries, while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Fuel Miscalculation

According to the official findings, the airplane ran out of fuel because the crew miscalculated the fuel quantity before departure.

Loss of Orientation

Additionally, the crew lost orientation en route while cruising in poor weather conditions consisting of snow falls and strong winds.

Probable cause

The airplane ran out of fuel because the crew miscalculated the fuel quantity before departure. Also, he lost his orientation en route while cruising in poor weather conditions consisting of snow falls and strong winds.
Fuel exhaustion & starvation

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Jan 1982 Yakovlev Yak-40 accident near Aktau, Kazakhstan?

A positioning flight ran out of fuel while descending to Shevshenko Airport, forcing an emergency belly landing in a field. All three crew members sustained minor injuries; the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. Official findings cited fuel miscalculation and loss of orientation in poor weather.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Jan 1982 Yakovlev Yak-40 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Jan 1982 involved a Yakovlev Yak-40, registration CCCP-87902, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Aktau, Kazakhstan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The airplane ran out of fuel because the crew miscalculated the fuel quantity before departure. Also, he lost his orientation en route while cruising in poor weather conditions consisting of snow falls and strong winds.

More accident analyses