Air crash in Irkutsk: causes, description of events, affected

People have always dreamed of flying. It was only after the invention of aircraft technology that the conceived was realized. However, like any objects created on the ground, planes and airliners are subject to gravity, which means they can fall, carrying tens and hundreds of lives. One of such accidents was a plane crash in Irkutsk, which occurred in 1997. It was repeated in 2001 and in 2006. About these tragic events and consequences we will tell in this article.

Chronology of the events of the Irkutsk plane crash in 1997

On December 6, 1997, a tragic accident occurred in Irkutsk, connected with the crash of the An-124 transport aircraft. From the brief history of the fall of air transport, we know the following:

• The plane followed the route Moscow-Irkutsk-Vladivostok-Kamran;
• On its board there were 15 passengers and 8 crew members;
• The purpose of the flight was to transport two 40-ton fighters, created at the Irkutsk Aviation Plant, to the territory of Vietnam;
• Approximately 3 seconds after the aircraft was lifted to a height of five meters, the motor No. 3 surged with its subsequent shutdown;
• Exactly 6 seconds after the further rise of the air transport to the 22-meter high, the engine No. 2 stopped;
• Exactly 2 seconds after lifting to 66-meter height, the third engine stopped;
• Working on only one engine, the plane went on a decline.

Because of the above-mentioned malfunction, an air crash happened (Irkutsk, 1997) - the plane crashed into residential buildings. As a result of the crash, all crew members were killed and 45 people were residents of damaged houses, over 70 families lost their homes.

What is the cause of the Irkutsk disaster of 1997?

The tragic event of 1997 caused a huge resonance in the press. It was spoken about not only in Russia, but also far beyond its borders. And most of the mass media representatives described several possible versions of the catastrophe, one of which was the surging of the two engines, as well as the failure of the valve on the third motor. This reason completely coincides with the official version of the special commission investigating the incident and compiled the final report on the accident. It also mentions maintenance errors.

Air crash (Irkutsk, 2001): chronology of events

July 4, 2001 in Irkutsk, an accident occurred in another airliner - Tu-154M, which followed the route Ekaterinburg-Irkutsk-Vladivostok. According to the expert commission, the takeoff from Yekaterinburg and the rise of the liner to a height of 10 100 meters was held in the planned mode, without any obvious violations.

Problems with the management of the aircraft arose as the passenger Tu-154M began to land in Irkutsk. There was a failure of electronics, the plane began to fall, went into a tailspin, and there was an air crash (Irkutsk, 2001). The plane fell to the ground, began to burn and completely collapsed.

What are the causes of the 2001 Irkutsk tragedy?

According to preliminary data, the cause of the disaster was panic on the part of crew members, who were unable to recognize and neutralize in time the "stalling into the plane corkscrew of the aircraft when approaching the landing."

According to experts, the crew was exhausted, as on the day of the accident, it flew about 20,953 hours and made over 11,387 flights from the takeoff-landing cycle. Such an extraordinary fate awaited this powerful Tu-154 liner. Irkutsk (air crash) interrupted the lives of 145 people, including 9 crew members and 136 ordinary passengers.

This terrible disaster in 2006

On July 9, 2006, there was a third Irkutsk accident. This time a catastrophe happened with the participation of the Airbus A310-324, which followed from Moscow to Irkutsk. From the data of the accident investigation commission it is known that as a result of incorrect and unreasonable actions of the crew, an accidental withdrawal of one of the engines to the take-off regime occurred.

As a result, when landing at the airport in Irkutsk, the aircraft rolled out beyond the runway and, in a timely manner without braking, collided with a garage complex. So, a new air crash happened (Irkutsk, 2006), which killed 125 people (including 8 crew members and 195 passengers), 63 people were injured and injured of varying severity.

Investigation and planned investigation

The negligence of the crew, which led to the tragedy, caused a lot of negativity and indignation of the public. In search of the causes and culprits of the accident relatives of the deceased stormed the representative office of the airline "Siberia" and repeatedly appealed for help to private detective agencies.

The very investigation to investigate the causes of the disaster stretched exactly for two years and five months. The total amount of materials involved in the trial was 55 volumes. During this time, more than 10 different versions of the incident were put forward, 339 judicial, 205 medical and 128 genetic examinations were performed.

Based on the results of the investigation, it was announced that the crew members made errant and uncontrolled actions during the landing of the aircraft were announced . This was the result of the 2006 air crash (Irkutsk).

Time for heroic deeds: flight attendant Andrei

Despite the tragic nature of the 2006 incident, not all crew members were confused and panicked. Some, on the contrary, showed their best heroic qualities. So, the plane crash in Irkutsk turned into a real hero one of the flight attendants - Andrei Dyakonov.

According to eyewitnesses, it was Andrew who did not get confused during the explosion and ignition of the starboard side of the liner. According to the instruction, he knocked out the zaevshuyu front door with his foot and one by one began to let out passengers. Thus, the flight attendant managed to save the lives of 30 people. However, Andrei himself did not manage to jump out of the burning cabin of the plane. Posthumously, he was awarded the Order of Courage.

The feat of flight attendant Victoria Silberstein

Did not let the air crash in Irkutsk and stewardess Victoria Silberstein fail. According to eyewitnesses it is known that this brave 22-year-old girl not only got out from under the collapsed itself, but also managed to pull through the found emergency exit and other passengers. During the rescue mission Victoria withdrew 20 people.

The stewardess herself survived, although she received some injuries and concussions. The girl for a long time came to her senses in the hospital. Sklifosovsky. After discharge she again returned to her profession.

After the plane crash in Irkutsk was completely investigated and the culprits were declared, Victoria was awarded the medal "Hurry to do good", got the badge "For Courage" and was awarded several more titles and awards.