1957 Kiev mid-air collision

The 1957 Kiev mid-air collision occurred on 17 August 1957 when two Ilyushin Il-14s collided over Kiev, killing 15 people, including nine on both aircraft.[1][2]

1957 Kiev mid-air collision
Accident
Date17 August 1957 (1957-08-17)
SummaryMid-air collision
SiteKiev, Soviet Union
Total fatalities15
Total injuries23
First aircraft

A similar Il-14G to the one involved
TypeIlyushin Il-14G
OperatorAeroflot
RegistrationСССР-Л1360
Flight originKiev-Zhulyany Airport
DestinationKiev-Zhulyany Airport
Crew4
Fatalities4
Survivors0
Second aircraft

A similar Il-14M to the one involved
TypeIlyushin Il-14M
OperatorAeroflot
RegistrationСССР-Л2071
Flight originSofia Airport
DestinationKiev-Zhulyany Airport
Crew5
Fatalities5
Survivors0
Ground casualties
Ground fatalities6
Ground injuries23

Aircraft

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СССР-Л1360 was a seven-month old Ilyushin Il-14G with factory number 147001432 and serial number 14-32. It had logged 157 flight hours.[3] The Il-14 was being used in a training flight when the accident happened.[4]

СССР-Л2071 was a seven-month old Ilyushin Il-14M (factory number 7342408, serial number 24-08). By the time of the accident, it had 833 flight hours.[5] It operated a cargo service as Aeroflot Flight 126 from Sofia to Kiev, transporting the luggage of Chinese athletes.[6]

Accident

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At 19:45, Flight 126 entered the Kiev-Zhulyany area at 900 m (3,000 ft). The crew contacted air traffic control and was instructed to approach the airport in a small circle. At the same time, СССР-Л1360 took off and landed at approximately 19:54.

At 20:02, while Flight 126 was making a turn, two aircraft collided at about 250–300 m (820–980 ft). The propeller of the Il-14M struck СССР-Л1360's right wing. The propellers went into the Il-14M's cockpit, cutting it off and killing the pilots.[2] Both aircraft dived into the ground and crashed into several houses 4.5 km (2.8 mi; 2.4 nmi) from the airport.[6]

All nine on board both aircraft along with six people on the ground were killed in the disaster. A further 23 were injured, 12 of them seriously.[4][6]

Investigation

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The investigation determined the cause to be primarily ATC error, specifically the guidance and assistance of the air traffic controller at Kiev-Zhulyany Airport. Aeroflot Flight 126 was not reported about the presence of another Il-14 performing training manoeuvres in the area.[4][6] The crew members on both aircraft's lack of caution also contributed to the disaster.

Aftermath

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A memorial for the collision were installed by the son of pilot-in-command Sandler L. M. at their burial site.

References

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  1. ^ Ranter, Harro. "Accident Ilyushin Il-14D CCCP-L1360 Kiev". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b Ranter, Harro. "Accident Ilyushin Il-14M CCCP-L2071 Kiev". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  3. ^ "Il-14G c/n 147001432". Scramble Soviet Transports Database.
  4. ^ a b c "Crash of an Ilyushin II-14D in Kiev: 7 killed | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  5. ^ "Il-14M c/n 7342408". Scramble Soviet Transport Database.
  6. ^ a b c d "Crash of an Ilyushin II-14M in Kiev: 8 killed | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives". Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives. Retrieved 13 February 2024.