Irkutsk – Vladivostok – Cam Ranh Bay

On December 6, 1997 at 02:42 PM, Irkutsk – Vladivostok – Cam Ranh Bay experienced a crash involving Antonov AN-124, operated by Russian Air Force - Voyenno-vozdushnye sily Rossii, with the event recorded near Irkutsk-2 (Northwest/Vostochny) Irkutsk oblast.

The flight was categorized as military and the reported phase was takeoff (climb) at a city crash site.

23 people were known to be on board, 68 fatalities were recorded, 0 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 295.7%.

Crew on board: 8, crew fatalities: 8, passengers on board: 15, passenger fatalities: 15, other fatalities: 45.

The listed crash cause is technical failure. The four engine aircraft departed Irkutsk-2 Airport on a cargo flight to Cam Ranh Bay, with an intermediate stop in Vladivostok, carrying 15 passengers, eight crew members and a load consisting of two Sukhoi SU-27UB fighters to be delivered to the Vietnam Air Force. Three seconds after takeoff from runway 14 at Irkutsk-2 Airport, at a height of 5 metres, the engine n°3 failed. Six seconds later, at a height of 22 metres, both left engines n°1 and 2 also failed. The aircraft pitched up and entered a high angle of attack, climbed to a maximum height of about 66 metres then rolled to the left and crashed onto several buildings located 1,600 metres from the runway end. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire as well as several buildings. All 23 occupants and 45 people on the ground were killed. Hundred other people on the ground were injured, some seriously.

Aircraft reference details include registration 08 black, MSN 4516003, year of manufacture 1992.