An-12 crash near Kirzhach

The An-12 crash near Kirzhach was an aviation disaster that occurred on Friday 30 June 1967 in the sky over Kirzhachsky District of Vladimir Oblast.

Crash

On that day an An-12 aircraft was being used to test the PBS-915 "Shelf" platformless parachute system for airdropping vehicles, with a BMD-1 used as the load. In accordance with the test programme, after the aircraft's cargo door was opened, the extraction parachutes came out, which were to pull the armoured vehicle out accordingly. However, the lock securing the vehicle to the monorail of the cargo cabin unexpectedly jammed, and since the BMD itself stood on shock-absorbing skis, under the action of the moment from the extraction parachutes it was turned and became stuck in the cargo compartment. Then, at a flight speed of about 400 km/h, the main system of four huge parachutes deployed. A moment of colossal magnitude arose, which tore the load together with the platform outside, but in doing so significantly destroyed the fuselage. Under the action of aerodynamic forces, the weakened structure began to break up, as a result of which the tail section separated. Unable to continue flying, the An-12 plunged downward and crashed into a field 1 km north of the village of Mitino in Kirzhachsky District (17.5 km northeast of Kirzhach airfield). On impact with the ground the aircraft exploded, and all 9 people on board were killed.

The dead test personnel were buried at Vvedenskoye Cemetery (plot No. 5) in Moscow. The monument on their grave can be seen in the film "Belorussky Station".