1981 Zheleznogorsk mid-air collision

Aeroflot

Industry	Airline
Headquarters	Soviet Union
Area served	Soviet Union
Products	Air transport services

Template:Infobox Aircraft crash

The 1981 Zheleznogorsk mid-air collision involved a Russian airline Aeroflot operated Yakovlev Yak-40 jet and a Mil Mi-8T helicopter. This tragic event occurred roughly 11 km (6.9 miles) east of Zheleznogorsk-Ilimskiy Airport in the Soviet Union on 18 September 1981. All 40 individuals aboard both aircraft lost their lives.

Accident

On 18 September 1981, flight V-652 was approaching Zheleznogorsk-Ilimskiy after departing from Irkutsk. Simultaneously, a Mil Mi-8T helicopter was also inbound to the same airport following the completion of a training mission originating from Bratsk. As flight V-652 began its descent through cloud cover while searching for the runway, it collided with the descending helicopter at an altitude of approximately 1,300 ft (396 m) and about 11 km (6.9 miles) east of the airport at around 7:13 am. The collision inflicted severe damage on flight V-652’s left wing, fuselage, and tail section. Meanwhile, the helicopter suffered destruction to its main rotor and cockpit, along with significant fuselage damage. Both aircraft subsequently entered uncontrolled dives and crashed into forested hilly terrain roughly 400 meters (1,300 feet) apart. Tragically, none of the 29 passengers or four crew members aboard flight V-652 survived, nor did any of the seven crew on the Mil Mi-8T helicopter.

Aircraft

The Yakovlev Yak-40 involved in the incident, registered as CCCP-87455 (serial number 9431236), was manufactured in 1974 and operated by Aeroflot from that year until its destruction in 1981. Additionally, the Mil Mi-8T helicopter, bearing the registration CCCP-22268 (serial number 6918), was also actively operated by Aeroflot at the time of the collision.

Aftermath

Both aircraft were entirely obliterated due to the impact and ensuing fire following the crash. The investigation determined that inadequate monitoring by ATC was the primary cause of the accident. A breakdown in communication among the three involved parties permitted the Mil Mi-8T to intrude into the approach corridor of flight V-652.