Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Osh

Date & Time: Oct 21, 2001
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EX-87470
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Osh – Bishkek
MSN:
9441537
YOM:
1974
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
32
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll at Osh Airport, the captain decided to abort for unknown reasons. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft verran and came to rest in a ravine. All 36 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Tigil

Date & Time: Sep 23, 2001
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-87481
Survivors:
Yes
MSN:
9 44 09 38
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
18
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
For unknown reasons, the aircraft landed hard and bounced several times before landing firmly. On touchdown, the nose gear collapsed and the airplane slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All 21 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 near Sari: 30 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 2001 at 0745 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EP-TQP
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Tehran - Gorgan
MSN:
9 74 08 56
YOM:
1977
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
25
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
30
Aircraft flight hours:
11156
Aircraft flight cycles:
6706
Circumstances:
The three engine aircraft departed Tehran-Mehrabad Airport at 0645LT on a charter flight to Gorgan, carrying members of the parliament and government who were flying to Gorgan to inaugurate the new airport. En route, the crew was informed by ATC about the deterioration of the weather conditions at destination and was instructed to divert to Sari Airport. While descending to Sari in marginal weather conditions, the crew failed to realize his altitude was too low when the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located about 20 km south of the airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 30 occupants were killed. Among the passengers were Rahman Dadman, Iranian Minister of Transport and two vice-ministers.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain while descending in stormy weather below the MDA.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40D in Moscow: 9 killed

Date & Time: Mar 9, 2000 at 0843 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
RA-88170
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Moscow - Kiev
MSN:
9 62 08 47
YOM:
1976
Flight number:
VGV9651
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Captain / Total flying hours:
7000
Aircraft flight hours:
21428
Aircraft flight cycles:
20497
Circumstances:
The initial STD was 0800LT but as the passengers were late, the departure was postponed. Apparently to avoid to miss the slot, the crew precipitated the departure. After liftoff, the undercarriage were retracted immediately. At a speed of 230 km/h, the aircraft climbed to a height of 15 metres then rolled to the left at an angle of 65° and crashed 1,200 metres from the departure point. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and there was no fire. All nine occupants were killed, among them the Russian journalist Artiom Borovik. At the time of the departure, there were snow falls at Moscow Airport.
Probable cause:
The aircraft stalled after liftoff due to a loss of lift due to the combination of the following contributing factors:
- Poor flight preparation,
- The crew expedited the takeoff procedure,
- The aircraft was manually cleaned from snow prior to departure but not deiced,
- The flaps were down at 11° instead the required 20°,
- The elevators were positioned at -4,3° instead of +2,2°,
- The rotation was initiated at an insufficient speed,
- Wings and critical surfaces were still contaminated with frost.