Antonov AN-30 crash, Jan 5, 1978 (7 killed), Semipalatins...
Antonov AN-30 accident on January 5, 1978 near Semipalatinsk Pavlodar, Kazakhstan with 7 fatalities. Cause: Continuation of the approach below landing...
- Date: January 5, 1978
- Aircraft: Antonov AN-30
- Location: Semipalatinsk Pavlodar, Kazakhstan
- Fatalities: 7
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: Continuation of the approach below landing minima in snow with no visual contact with the runway, after pressure from the test site commander to land rather than divert to Chagan
On the night of 5 January 1978 an Antonov An-30 carrying personnel on a flight from Semipalatinsk to the Semipalatinsk-21 nuclear test site continued its approach despite below-minimum weather, including snowfall and poor visibility. In a snow flurry with zero visibility on final approach it struck near the runway, broke in two and caught fire. Seven of the nine people aboard were killed.