Tallinn – Moscow

On August 21, 1963 at 12:15 PM, Tallinn – Moscow experienced a crash involving Tupolev TU-124, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, with the event recorded near Leningrad Leningrad oblast.

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a lake, sea, ocean, river crash site.

52 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 52 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 47, passenger fatalities: 0, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. Shortly after takeoff from Tallinn-Ülemiste Airport at 0855LT, while climbing, the crew encountered technical problems with the undercarriage that could not be raised properly. As there was fog in Tallinn, the crew decided to divert to Leningrad-Pulkovo Airport. The airplane arrived over Leningrad at 1100LT and the crew was authorized to following a holding circuit at an altitude of 500 meters. During the eight circuit, while the fuel jauges indicates a quantity of 750 liters remaining, the left engine stopped. The crew received the permission to land when the right engine failed as well. In such conditions, the captain decided to attempt an emergency landing on the Neva River. On touchdown, the aircraft slid for several yards and came to rest near the riverbank. All 52 occupants were evacuated safely and only two occupants were slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair and later used for ground training.

Aircraft reference details include registration CCCP-45021, MSN 2 35 07 01, year of manufacture 1962.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 60.7340°, 28.8269°.