An-8 crash at Gostomel

The An-8 crash at Gostomel was an aviation accident that occurred on Wednesday 16 September 1964 at Gostomel Airport (Kiev) during a test flight of an An-8RU aircraft (with rocket boosters), in which 7 people were killed.

Crash

On 16 September 1964 regular tests were being carried out at the design bureau's flight test and development base, which is located at Gostomel Airport. On the morning of that day the test pilots performed one flight, during which the left engine was shut down, the left propeller feathered automatically, and then the solid-fuel boosters were ignited one after another. This flight was successful.

The second flight was performed in the afternoon in the presence of the design bureau's management, and both boosters were to be ignited. At 16:30 the crew reported readiness for take-off and that the propellers were set on their stops. However, the flight director asked them to wait, as the cameraman who was to film the aircraft's take-off had not yet had time to get ready. Then at 16:45 take-off clearance was given. The aircraft accelerated along the runway and lifted into the air, after which 20 seconds later, at a speed of 220 km/h, the crew ignited both solid-fuel boosters, and then another 6 seconds later, at 264 km/h, the left engine was stopped with the shut-off valve. The left propeller was supposed to feather automatically, but this time it instead went into autorotation mode. The left propeller began to act as a brake on the aircraft, while the right one continued to produce thrust, as a result of which a yawing moment arose that the crew was unable to counter due to insufficient travel of the rudders and elevators. Entering a steep left bank (up to 70—80°) and going into a sideslip, the An-8RU struck the ground 1850 metres from the start and exploded. All 7 people on board were killed.