Hosta

The 1957 Kiev mid-air collision occurred on 17 August 1957 when two Ilyushin Il-14s collided over Kiev, killing 15 people, including nine on both aircraft.^[1][2]

Aircraft

СССР-Л1360 was a seven-month old Ilyushin Il-14G with factory number 147001432 and serial number 14-32. It had logged 157 flight hours.^[3] The Il-14 was being used in a training flight when the accident happened.^[4]

СССР-Л2071 was a seven-month old Ilyushin Il-14M (factory number 7342408, serial number 24-08). By the time of the accident, it had 833 flight hours.^[5] It operated a cargo service as Aeroflot Flight 126^[6] from Sofia to Kiev, transporting the luggage of Chinese athletes.^[7]

Accident

At 19:45, Flight 126 entered the Kiev-Zhulyany area at 900 m (3,000 ft). The crew contacted air traffic control and was instructed to approach the airport in a small circle. At the same time, СССР-Л1360 took off and landed at approximately 19:54.^[6]

At 20:02, while Flight 126 was making a turn, two aircraft collided at about 250–300 m (820–980 ft). The propeller of the Il-14M struck СССР-Л1360's right wing. The propellers went into the Il-14M's cockpit, cutting it off and killing the pilots.^[2] Both aircraft dived into the ground and crashed into several houses 4.5 km (2.8 mi; 2.4 nmi) from the airport.^[7]

All nine on board both aircraft along with six people on the ground were killed in the disaster. A further 23 were injured, 12 of them seriously.^[4][6][7]

Investigation

The investigation determined the cause to be primarily ATC error, specifically the guidance and assistance of the air traffic controller at Kiev-Zhulyany Airport. Aeroflot Flight 126 was not reported about the presence of another Il-14 performing training manoeuvres in the area.^[4][7] The crew members on both aircraft's lack of caution also contributed to the disaster.^[6]

Aftermath

A memorial for the collision were installed by the son of pilot-in-command Sandler L. M. at their burial site.^[6]

References