2859
1975-NOV-20 · Near Kharkiv, Ukrainian SSR

Aeroflot — Flight 2859

On November 20, 1975, an Aeroflot Antonov An-24B struck a hill during a low-visibility approach to Kharkiv International Airport. The aircraft was operating a scheduled domestic flight from Mineralnye Vody. All 19 people on board were killed when the aircraft impacted terrain approximately 20 km (12 miles) from the runway while flying below the established minimum descent altitude in thick fog.

Aircraft
Antonov An-24B
Registration
CCCP-46349
Phase
Cause
Souls on Board
19
Fatalities
19
Origin → Dest
Mineralnye Vody Airport, Russian SFSR → Kharkiv International Airport, Ukrainian SSR
Report

Investigation Summary

The flight was conducting a non-precision approach to Kharkiv in weather conditions that were below the airport's minimums, characterized by dense fog and a low ceiling. During the descent, the crew failed to monitor their altitude effectively relative to the terrain. The aircraft descended below the glide path and the minimum descent altitude (MDA). While established on the final approach course, the An-24B struck the crest of a hill near the village of Malaya Rohan. The impact destroyed the aircraft and killed all 15 passengers and 4 crew members. The investigation highlighted a lack of altitude awareness and the crew's decision to continue the descent despite not having the required visual references.

Final Conclusions

The primary cause of the accident was Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) resulting from the crew's failure to adhere to the minimum descent altitude during an approach in weather conditions below established minimums. Contributing factors included poor cockpit discipline and inadequate monitoring of the aircraft's vertical profile during the final approach phase.

Video Analysis

No video analysis linked for this case file yet.

Interesting Facts

  • 01The aircraft was an Antonov An-24B, registration CCCP-46349.
  • 02The accident occurred in conditions of dense fog with visibility below airport minimums.
  • 03The impact site was a hill near Malaya Rohan, approximately 20 km (12 miles) from the runway.
  • 04All 19 people on board (15 passengers and 4 crew) perished in the crash.

Safety Actions & Advisories

Approach Discipline Reinforcement

Following the accident, Aeroflot reinforced training regarding strict adherence to minimum descent altitudes (MDA) during non-precision approaches in low visibility.

Location

Near Kharkiv, Ukrainian SSR · 49.9167, 36.5167

APPROXIMATE POSITION · AIRPORT LEVEL · Coordinates are the estimate published in the entered by an editor. The ring shows the accuracy the record supports, not the point of impact.

Case File History

  1. New evidenceUpdated event timeline and findings.
  2. New evidenceUpdated casualty figures, event timeline and sources.
  3. New evidenceUpdated findings.
  4. Final reportUpdated investigation summary, final conclusions, event timeline and findings.

Related Cases

Case ID · aeroflot-2859-1975Last updated · Filed

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