Vitim - Irkutsk

On July 20, 1977 at 12:00 AM, Vitim - Irkutsk experienced a crash involving Avia 14, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, with the event recorded near Vitim Republic of Yakutia (Sakha).

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

40 people were known to be on board, 39 fatalities were recorded, 1 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 97.5%.

Crew on board: 6, crew fatalities: 6, passengers on board: 34, passenger fatalities: 33, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is human factor. The takeoff was attempted from a dirt runway with puddles. After a course of 345 meters, the pilot-in-command started the rotation and the nose gear left the ground. 150 meters further, the right main gear struck two cones located on the right side of the runway. The airplane went off runway then took off after a course of 945 meters. During initial climb, after a course of 200 meters and at an altitude of 14 meters, the airplane struck trees, stalled and crashed in flames in a wooded area. A passenger was injured while 39 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire.

Aircraft reference details include registration CCCP-52096, MSN 086 806109, year of manufacture 1958.