Three Russian airmen , Valery Chkalov ( pilot ) , Georgy Baydukov ( second pilot ) , Alexander Belyakov ( radio operator ) are reported missing on an attempt to fly 7,300 miles non - stop in ANT - 25 , a cantilever low - wing monoplane built by the Aero - Hydrodynamic Institute . The route was one of the most difficult it was possible to devise . It took the airmen from Moscow to Victoria Island ( near Franz - Joseph land ) in the Arctic , from Victoria Island to Petronsvlovsk at the northern extremity of Kamchatka , and from there to Chita . Photo shows : The crew with the designer of the plane before the take - off from Moscow . Right to left : G Baydukov ; V . Chkalov ; A . Belyakov ; J . Stalin and [ a ? ] Tupolev designer . 23 Jul 1936 *** Local Caption ***