Narrative:
The Li-2 was engaged in ice-reconnaissance missions in the region north of Franz Josef Land archipelago, Russia.
During one of these missions the flight encountered adverse weather conditions with strong headwind and fog. The crew lost orientation and deviated from the flight path to the west by 210 km. As fuel seemed to be insufficient to reach Amderma under these conditions the captain decided to head for Novaya Zemlya, but failed to regain orientation and missed Novaya Zemlya while flying through the Kara Straits. The airplane eventually ran out of fuel after 15 hours and 12 minutes. The crew prepared for a ditching in high seas in the Barents Sea between Varandei island, Matveyev Island and Cape Medynski Zavorot at night. All aboard were killed.
| Status: | |
| Date: | Thursday 16 September 1948 |
| Time: | 19:17 |
| Type: |  Lisunov Li-2T |
| Operator: | Polyarnaya Aviatsiya |
| Registration: | CCCP-N464 |
| MSN: | 18428201 |
| First flight: | 1947 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 430 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 7 / Occupants: 7 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | off Cape Medynski Zavorot ( Russia)
|
| Phase: | Landing (LDG) |
| Nature: | Survey/research |
| Departure airport: | Amderma Airport (AMV/ULDD), Russia |
| Amderma Airport (AMV/ULDD), Russia |
The Li-2 was engaged in ice-reconnaissance missions in the region north of Franz Josef Land archipelago, Russia.
During one of these missions the flight encountered adverse weather conditions with strong headwind and fog. The crew lost orientation and deviated from the flight path to the west by 210 km. As fuel seemed to be insufficient to reach Amderma under these conditions the captain decided to head for Novaya Zemlya, but failed to regain orientation and missed Novaya Zemlya while flying through the Kara Straits. The airplane eventually ran out of fuel after 15 hours and 12 minutes. The crew prepared for a ditching in high seas in the Barents Sea between Varandei island, Matveyev Island and Cape Medynski Zavorot at night. All aboard were killed.
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Water
Sources:
» Soviet TransportsPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Amderma Airport to Amderma Airport as the crow flies is 19859 km (12412 miles).
Distance from Amderma Airport to Amderma Airport as the crow flies is 19859 km (12412 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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