Antonov AN-124 crash, Dec 6, 1997 (68 killed), Irkutsk-2...
Antonov AN-124 accident on December 6, 1997 near Irkutsk-2 (Northwest/Vostochny), Irkutsk oblast, Russia with 68 fatalities. Cause: Engine failures in...
- Date: December 6, 1997
- Aircraft: Antonov AN-124
- Location: Irkutsk-2 (Northwest/Vostochny), Irkutsk oblast, Russia
- Fatalities: 68
- Phase of flight: Takeoff and climb
- Cause: Engine failures in quick succession after takeoff, with the exact cause not determined with certainty. Engines of this series had known gas-dynamic stability problems, especially at high angle of attack.
A Russian Air Force An-124 carrying two Su-27 fighters for Vietnam lost engines 3, 1 and 2 within seconds of takeoff from Irkutsk-2. It pitched up, stalled and crashed into buildings about 1,600 metres from the runway end, where the aircraft was destroyed by impact and fire. Reported death tolls vary between sources; 68 is used here.