Narrative:
The Li-2 operated on a service from Rostov to Moscow with an en route stop at Kharkov. During the night-time approach to Kharkov the curtains of the co pilot's windshield were closed and those on the captain's side were partially closed to allow the crew to practise an instrument approach exercise.
The aircraft descended with engines running almost at idle power until the pilot realised that the aircraft was about to hit a railway line. He sharply banked to the right at low altitude, causing the aircraft to stall and crash into vegetable gardens.
| Status: | |
| Date: | Saturday 31 October 1953 |
| Time: | 00:30 |
| Type: |  Lisunov Li-2 |
| Operator: | Aeroflot, North Kavkaz Civil Aviation Directorate |
| Registration: | CCCP-L4732 |
| MSN: | 18432509 |
| First flight: | 1949 |
| Total airframe hrs: | 5181 |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 5 / Occupants: 5 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 10 / Occupants: 11 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 15 / Occupants: 16 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | near Kharkov Airport (HRK) ( Ukraine)
|
| Phase: | Approach (APR) |
| Nature: | Domestic Scheduled Passenger |
| Departure airport: | Rostov Airport (ROV/URRR), Russia |
| Kharkov Airport (HRK/UKHH), Ukraine | |
| Flightnumber: | 270 |
The Li-2 operated on a service from Rostov to Moscow with an en route stop at Kharkov. During the night-time approach to Kharkov the curtains of the co pilot's windshield were closed and those on the captain's side were partially closed to allow the crew to practise an instrument approach exercise.
The aircraft descended with engines running almost at idle power until the pilot realised that the aircraft was about to hit a railway line. He sharply banked to the right at low altitude, causing the aircraft to stall and crash into vegetable gardens.
Classification:
Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) - Ground
Sources:
» airdisaster.ruPhotos
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 Rostov Airport to Kharkov Airport as the crow flies is 391 km (244 miles).
Distance from Rostov Airport to Kharkov Airport as the crow flies is 391 km (244 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.
languages: 
Ukraine
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Lisunov Li-2
- ca 5000 built
- 237th loss
- 135th fatal accident
- 22nd worst accident (at the time)
- 26th worst accident (currently)
Ukraine- 2nd worst accident (at the time)
- 25th worst accident (currently)
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