Tiksi – Moscow

On December 18, 1945 at 12:00 AM, Tiksi – Moscow experienced a crash involving Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3), operated by Polyarnaya Aviatsiya, with the event recorded near Tiksi Republic of Yakutia (Sakha).

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

6 people were known to be on board, 0 fatalities were recorded, 6 survivors were identified or estimated. This corresponds to an estimated fatality rate of 0.0%.

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

The listed crash cause is human factor. During the takeoff roll, the copilot retracted the landing gear prematurely and switched off the spotlights, without any authorization from the captain. When he tried to switch them on, the aircraft sank back onto the runway and landed on its belly. Then it skidded for several yards before coming to rest in flames. Three occupants were injured while three others were unhurt. The aircraft was written off.

Aircraft reference details include registration CCCP-N367.