Il-18 crash in Ulyanovsk

On Monday, 26 December 1960, near Ulyanovsk, an Aeroflot Il-18A crashed during landing, resulting in the deaths of 17 people.

Crash

Over Ulyanovsk the night sky was covered with stratocumulus clouds at a height of 373 metres, in which icing was observed. The aircraft was flown directly by squadron commander Motkin, sitting in the left seat, and deputy detachment commander Tarasov, sitting in the right seat. At 18:22 the crew contacted the approach controller and reported approaching the airport at an altitude of 3300 metres. In response the controller indicated that the landing would be made on a heading of 204°, after which he gave clearance to descend to a height of 1000 metres and report passing the outer locator beacon. After the aircraft reported passing the outer locator beacon, the controller gave clearance to descend to a height of 400 metres by the start of the second turn and to continue the approach with a right-hand circuit. Having completed the fourth turn, the crew at a height of 350 metres came into visual flight. Passing the outer locator beacon at a height of 200 metres, the crew reported passing it and said that it could see the runway, and therefore requested permission to land. The flight director authorised a landing to the right of the main runway. The crew acknowledged receipt of the information and switched on the landing lights.

While following the glide path, at a height of 120—150 metres the Il-18 suddenly went into a steep dive, and then at 19:42 local time (18:42 MSK), at an angle of 50—60°, struck a field 1240 metres short of the inner locator beacon, after which it was completely destroyed and partially burned. All 17 people on board the aircraft were killed.