A Nimbus Airline Antonov AN-12 turboprop Cargo plane suffered partial failure of the rear cargo door during takeoff from Yakutsk Airport in Russia on Thursday.

The aircraft was carrying 9.3 tons of gold and other precious metals, part of which where lost during the take off and climbing phase.

Gold ingots were scattered across the runway and some along the flight path.

The left flap of the cargo hatch was torn off possible due to displacement of the cargo due to improper fixing.

The crew immediately returned to the nearby Magan airport, some 26 kilometers north-west of Yakutsk.

A total of 172 ingots of gold, weighing 20 kg each, worth $368 million were lost from the aircraft.

Police immediately sealed off the runway and initiated search to retrieve the lost ingots.


The Gold was owned by Canadian company Kinross, who currently operates two high-quality, low cost underground mines in Russia.

Onboard was five crew members, and none was injured in the incident. The aircraft safely returned as the cargo compartment was unpressurized.

The 46 year old soviet era Antonov An-12BP four engine turboprop with registration RA-11130 was built in 1972.