In the Sverdlovsk air disaster, all 19 of those on board were killed, including almost the entire national ice hockey team (VVS Moscow) of the Soviet Air Force - 11 players, as well as a team doctor and a masseur.

The Tragic Sverdlovsk Plane Crash of 1950: A Soviet Sports Disaster

The Sverdlovsk plane crash, which occurred on 5 January 1950, remains one of the most poignant and historically significant aviation disasters in Soviet sports history. This tragic incident claimed the lives of all 19 individuals on board, including an almost complete roster of the elite VVS Moscow ice hockey team, a squad affiliated with the Soviet Air Forces and directly supported by Vasily Stalin, the son of the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.

The Fated Flight and the VVS Moscow Hockey Team

At the heart of this tragedy was the VVS Moscow ice hockey team, an exceptionally talented and highly ambitious group poised to challenge for the Soviet championship. On that fateful day, the team was en route to Chelyabinsk for a crucial match against the Dzerzhinets (Chelyabinsk) hockey club, known today as Traktor Chelyabinsk. The aircraft involved was a twin-engined Lisunov Li-2 transport plane, a robust workhorse of Soviet aviation that was a licensed, Soviet-built variant of the American Douglas DC-3. This particular flight carried 11 key players of the VVS Moscow team, along with their team doctor and a masseur, underscoring the severe impact of the loss on the club's core.

Adverse Weather and the Fatal Diversion

The initial destination for the flight was Chelyabinsk. However, severe and rapidly deteriorating weather conditions over Chelyabinsk forced the crew to divert the aircraft. The new destination became Sverdlovsk, a major industrial city in the Soviet Union's Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR), now known as Yekaterinburg. The plan was to land at Koltsovo Airport (now Koltsovo International Airport).

Upon reaching Sverdlovsk, the weather had also turned extremely treacherous. The area was engulfed in a heavy snowstorm, accompanied by strong, gusting winds, severely reducing visibility and making landing conditions exceptionally challenging. The experienced crew made four attempts to land the Li-2, each time being forced to abandon the approach due to the perilous conditions.

The Crash at Koltsovo Airport

Tragically, during their fifth and final approach to Koltsovo Airport, the aircraft lost control and crashed near the airport perimeter. The combination of intense snowfall, powerful crosswinds, and poor visibility proved insurmountable for the crew, leading to the devastating impact that resulted in no survivors. This catastrophic event immediately wiped out a significant portion of what was considered one of the Soviet Union's most promising ice hockey teams.

Notable Victims and Fortunate Absentees

Among those who perished in the Sverdlovsk plane crash was the highly respected goalkeeper, Harijs Mellups, a key figure in the VVS Moscow team. His death, along with the other players, represented a profound loss for Soviet ice hockey.

Remarkably, not all key members of the VVS Moscow team were on board the ill-fated flight. The legendary Soviet sports figure and celebrated ice hockey and football player, Vsevolod Bobrov, famously missed the flight. Historical accounts suggest that Bobrov, known for his somewhat unconventional habits, overslept and arrived late, thus missing the departing aircraft. This serendipitous delay saved his life and allowed him to continue his illustrious career, becoming one of the most iconic athletes in Soviet history.

The Aftermath and Historical Secrecy

The Sverdlovsk plane crash had an immediate and far-reaching impact, particularly due to the direct involvement of Vasily Stalin. In a desperate attempt to mitigate the political fallout and maintain the image of Soviet infallibility, the official news of the disaster was largely suppressed and covered up by Soviet authorities. The loss of the team was a deeply sensitive issue given its close ties to Joseph Stalin's son.

In an extraordinary display of determination, or perhaps pressure from above, Vasily Stalin rapidly assembled a new VVS Moscow team, recruiting players from reserve squads and other clubs. Astonishingly, despite the complete overhaul of its roster, the reconstituted VVS Moscow team went on to win the Soviet championship that very season, a testament to the resilience and resourcefulness (and political will) within Soviet sports at the time. The details of the crash remained largely unacknowledged publicly for decades, only becoming more widely known after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Sverdlovsk Plane Crash

When did the Sverdlovsk plane crash occur?
The Sverdlovsk plane crash took place on 5 January 1950.
Which ice hockey team was involved in the crash?
The crash primarily affected the VVS Moscow ice hockey team, which was affiliated with the Soviet Air Forces.
How many people died in the Sverdlovsk plane crash?
All 19 persons on board the Lisunov Li-2 aircraft perished in the crash, including 11 players, the team doctor, and a masseur from the VVS Moscow team.
What type of aircraft was involved in the Sverdlovsk disaster?
The aircraft was a twin-engined Lisunov Li-2 transport plane, which was a licensed, Soviet-built version of the American DC-3.
Where exactly did the plane crash?
The aircraft crashed near Koltsovo Airport in Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg), in the Soviet Union's Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR).
What were the weather conditions at the time of the crash?
The crash occurred during a heavy snowstorm with strong winds, following a diversion from Chelyabinsk due to poor weather there as well.
Was anyone from the VVS Moscow team supposed to be on the flight but wasn't?
Yes, legendary player Vsevolod Bobrov famously missed the flight, reportedly due to oversleeping, which saved his life.
Was the Sverdlovsk plane crash widely reported in the Soviet Union at the time?
No, due to its sensitive nature, particularly the team's connection to Vasily Stalin, the Soviet authorities largely suppressed and covered up the news of the crash for many years.