Lanzhou – Xi’an – Chengdu

Few minutes after takeoff from Lanzhou-Zhongshan Airport, the crew encountered poor weather and severe icing conditions. The right engine failed and the crew feathered its propeller. After being cleared to return, the crew initiated the descent when control was lost. The airplane crashed in a field located few km from the airport, some 30 minutes after takeoff. Six passengers were killed while 38 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Flight / Schedule

Lanzhou – Xi’an – Chengdu

Aircraft

Antonov AN-24

Registration

B-3413

MSN

37308907

Year of Manufacture

1973

Date

December 15, 1986 at 12:00 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

Lanzhou Gansu

Region

Asia • China

Coordinates

36.0767°, 103.7598°

Crash Cause

Weather

Narrative Report

On December 15, 1986 at 12:00 AM, Lanzhou – Xi’an – Chengdu experienced a crash involving Antonov AN-24, operated by CAAC - Civil Aviation Administration of China, with the event recorded near Lanzhou Gansu.

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.

44 people were known to be on board, 6 fatalities were recorded, 38 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 13.6%.

Crew on board: 7, crew fatalities: 0, passengers on board: 37, passenger fatalities: 6, other fatalities: 0.

The listed crash cause is weather. Few minutes after takeoff from Lanzhou-Zhongshan Airport, the crew encountered poor weather and severe icing conditions. The right engine failed and the crew feathered its propeller. After being cleared to return, the crew initiated the descent when control was lost. The airplane crashed in a field located few km from the airport, some 30 minutes after takeoff. Six passengers were killed while 38 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Aircraft reference details include registration B-3413, MSN 37308907, year of manufacture 1973.

Geospatial coordinates for this crash are approximately 36.0767°, 103.7598°.

Fatalities

Total

6

Crew

0

Passengers

6

Other

0

Crash Summary

Few minutes after takeoff from Lanzhou-Zhongshan Airport, the crew encountered poor weather and severe icing conditions. The right engine failed and the crew feathered its propeller. After being cleared to return, the crew initiated the descent when control was lost. The airplane crashed in a field located few km from the airport, some 30 minutes after takeoff. Six passengers were killed while 38 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.

Cause: Weather

Occupants & Outcome

Crew On Board

7

Passengers On Board

37

Estimated Survivors

38

Fatality Rate

13.6%

Known people on board: 44

Operational Details

Schedule / Flight

Lanzhou – Xi’an – Chengdu

Flight Type

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Flight Phase

Landing (descent or approach)

Crash Site

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Region / Country

Asia • China

Aircraft Details

Aircraft

Antonov AN-24

Registration

B-3413

MSN

37308907

Year of Manufacture

1973

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