Smolensk – Velikiye Luki – Leningrad

On August 3, 1979 at 11:56 AM, Smolensk – Velikiye Luki – Leningrad experienced a crash involving Let L-410, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, with the event recorded near Leningrad-Rzhevka Leningrad oblast.

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.

14 people were known to be on board, 10 fatalities were recorded, 4 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 71.4%.

Crew on board: 3, crew fatalities: 3, passengers on board: 11, passenger fatalities: 7, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. On final approach to Leningrad-Rzhevka Airport, at a speed of 165 km/h, the right engine failed. The crew initiated a go-around maneuver and elected to feather the right propeller without success. The aircraft banked right to an angle of 25° then nosed down to an angle of 30° and crashed in flames in a wooded area located 500 meters short of runway threshold. The wreckage was found 550 meters to the right of the runway extended centerline. The aircraft was partially destroyed by a post crash fire and while four passengers were seriously injured, all 10 other occupants were killed.

Aircraft reference details include registration CCCP-67206, MSN 76 05 09, year of manufacture 1976.