Aeroflot Flight 4225

Template:Infobox aircraft occurrence

Aeroflot Flight 4225 operated a scheduled domestic route on a Tupolev Tu-154B-2 from Almaty International Airport (formerly Alma-Ata Airport) to Simferopol Airport on July 8, 1980. During its climb, when the aircraft had ascended to approximately 500 feet, it encountered thermal air currents that caused a sudden reduction in airspeed. This led to an aerodynamic stall less than 5 kilometres (3.1 mi; 2.7 nmi) from the departure airport, resulting in a crash and subsequent fire that claimed the lives of all 156 passengers and 10 crew members aboard. This incident remains the most fatal aviation disaster in the history of Kazakhstan. At that time, it was also the deadliest accident involving a Tupolev Tu-154 until surpassed by the crash of Aeroflot Flight 3352 in 1984, which resulted in 178 fatalities.

Accident

During the period of the accident, the city of Alma-Ata was enduring a significant heat wave. Flight 4225 departed from Alma-Ata Airport at approximately 00:39 local time. Shortly after takeoff, upon reaching an altitude near 500 feet (150 m), the aircraft entered a region of hot air accompanied by a strong downdraft. This caused the Tupolev to stall and descend rapidly with its nose pointed downward. The plane impacted farmland on the outskirts of Alma-Ata, slid into a nearby ravine, ignited, and broke apart on impact. All individuals on board perished instantly.

Investigation

The Soviet aviation authority determined that the accident resulted from windshear encountered when the aircraft was operating close to its maximum takeoff weight, considering the mountainous terrain and prevailing local conditions.

See also

• Aeroflot accidents and incidents in the 1980s
• Pan Am Flight 759
• Delta Air Lines Flight 191
• USAir Flight 1016

External links

• Archived Sarasota Herald-Tribune article Soviet Jetliner Crashes; At Least 163 are Killed
• Archived copy of The Bulletin from July 17, 1980 163 reported dead in Soviet jet crash