Aeroflot Flight 1491
 An Aeroflot Antonov An-10 similar to the accident aircraft | |
| Accident summary | |
|---|---|
| Date | 18 May 1972 |
| Summary | Structural failure, loss of control |
| Site |
Near Kharkov, Ukraine 49°54′56″N 36°39′02″E / 49.91556°N 36.65056°ECoordinates: 49°54′56″N 36°39′02″E / 49.91556°N 36.65056°E |
| Passengers | 114 |
| Crew | 8 |
| Fatalities | 122 (all) |
| Survivors | 0 |
| Aircraft type | Antonov An-10A |
| Operator | Aeroflot |
| Registration | CCCP-11215 |
| Flight origin | Vnukovo Airport |
| Destination | Kharkov Airport |
Aeroflot Flight 1491 was a scheduled domestic passenger flight from Moscow-Vnukovo Airport to Kharkov Airport, USSR. On 18 May 1972, the An-10 performing this flight crashed while descending to land in Kharkov, killing all 122 passengers and crew on board.
Description
Flight 1491 took off from Moscow-Vnukovo Airport bound for Kharkov Airport. While descending from its cruising level to approximately 5,000 feet, the Antonov An-10 suffered structural failure resulting in the separation of both wings. The fuselage then plunged into a wooded area, killing all 114 passengers and 8 crew on board the aircraft.
Aftermath
Pravda reported on the crash of Flight 1491 shortly after it happened. At the time, it was unusual in the Soviet Union for there to be press reports on domestic air crashes.[1]
The probable cause of the crash was determined to be the center wing section failing due to a fatigue crack in the lower central wing panel.[2]
Following this accident, Aeroflot ceased the operation of An-10.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ Soviet air crash bared
- ↑ Aircraft accident Antonov 10A CCCP-11215 Kharkov Airport
- ↑ Gero, David (1996). Aviation Disasters Second Edition. Patrick Stephens Limited. p. 105.