Riga - Liepaja

On final approach to Liepaja Airport, while at an altitude of 300 meters at a speed of 300 km/h, the crew was unable to locate the runway nor the approach lights. In such conditions, the captain decided to make a go-around and increased engine power when the left engine failed. The aircraft banked left to an angle of 40°. Due to high drag, it lost height then struck the snow covered ground 1,800 meters past the outer marker, bounced and struck a telegraphic pole that torn off three meters of the left wing. Out of control, it continued for 1,410 meters before crashing in flames in an open field. Eight occupants survived while 43 others were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.

Flight / Schedule

Riga - Liepaja

Aircraft

Antonov AN-24

Registration

CCCP-46215

MSN

67302909

Year of Manufacture

1966

Date

December 30, 1967 at 08:36 AM

Type

CRASH

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Crash Location

Liepaja Courland (Kurzeme)

Region

Europe • Latvia

Crash Cause

Technical failure

Narrative Report

On December 30, 1967 at 08:36 AM, Riga - Liepaja experienced a crash involving Antonov AN-24, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, with the event recorded near Liepaja Courland (Kurzeme).

The flight was categorized as scheduled revenue flight and the reported phase was landing (descent or approach) at a airport (less than 10 km from airport) crash site.

51 people were known to be on board, 43 fatalities were recorded, 8 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 84.3%.

Crew on board: 5, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 46, passenger fatalities: 40, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. On final approach to Liepaja Airport, while at an altitude of 300 meters at a speed of 300 km/h, the crew was unable to locate the runway nor the approach lights. In such conditions, the captain decided to make a go-around and increased engine power when the left engine failed. The aircraft banked left to an angle of 40°. Due to high drag, it lost height then struck the snow covered ground 1,800 meters past the outer marker, bounced and struck a telegraphic pole that torn off three meters of the left wing. Out of control, it continued for 1,410 meters before crashing in flames in an open field. Eight occupants survived while 43 others were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.

Aircraft reference details include registration CCCP-46215, MSN 67302909, year of manufacture 1966.

Fatalities

Total

43

Crew

3

Passengers

40

Other

0

Crash Summary

On final approach to Liepaja Airport, while at an altitude of 300 meters at a speed of 300 km/h, the crew was unable to locate the runway nor the approach lights. In such conditions, the captain decided to make a go-around and increased engine power when the left engine failed. The aircraft banked left to an angle of 40°. Due to high drag, it lost height then struck the snow covered ground 1,800 meters past the outer marker, bounced and struck a telegraphic pole that torn off three meters of the left wing. Out of control, it continued for 1,410 meters before crashing in flames in an open field. Eight occupants survived while 43 others were killed. The aircraft was destroyed.

Cause: Technical failure

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

5

Passengers On Board

46

Estimated Survivors

8

Fatality Rate

84.3%

Known people on board: 51

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Riga - Liepaja

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Europe • Latvia

Aircraft Details

Aircraft

Antonov AN-24

Registration

CCCP-46215

MSN

67302909

Year of Manufacture

1966

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