Yakovlev Yak-40

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-87826

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Odessa - Berdyansk

MSN:

9 24 18 24

YOM:

1972

Flight number:

SU528N

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Following an uneventful flight from Odessa, the crew started the approach and was cleared to descend to 1,200 meters. On final, weather conditions deteriorated with thunderstorm activity and heavy rain falls. Despite a limited visibility and the actual conditions, ATC cleared the aircraft to continue the approach and to land. The three engine aircraft passed over the threshold at a height of 40-50 meters and at an excessive speed of about 250 km/h. The aircraft landed too far down the runway and after touchdown on a wet surface, the crew started the braking maneuver but the aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran, rolled about 450 meters then struck two trees, crossed a road and came to rest in a field, bursting into flames. Two crew members and six passengers were killed while 21 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by a post crash fire. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were below Airport minimums.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- The crew decided to continue the approach in below minimum weather conditions at an excessive speed and above the glide, causing the aircraft to land too far down the runway,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure,
- ATC cleared the crew to land and failed to close the airport and to divert the flight to another suitable airport,
- Poor organization by Meteo services.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Tarnogsky Gorodok

Date & Time: Jan 25, 1987

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-87696

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

9 91 01 05

YOM:

1969

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

During the takeoff roll, the aircraft deviated from the centerline to the left. The crew tried to counteract this deviation but the aircraft hit an embankment on the left side of the runway before coming to rest. While all 26 occupants escaped uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

Loss of control during takeoff due to the failure of the nosewheel steering system.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Tashkent: 9 killed

Date & Time: Jan 16, 1987 at 0811 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-87618

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

Tashkent Province (Toshkent viloyati)

Schedule:

Tashkent – Shakhrisabz

MSN:

9 13 19 18

YOM:

1971

Flight number:

SU505U

Location:

Tashkent-Yuzhny

Country:

Uzbekistan

Region:

Asia

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

17132

Aircraft flight cycles:

20927

Circumstances:

The crew was cleared for takeoff from Tashkent-Yuzhny Airport and started the procedure. After liftoff, while climbing to a height of 15-20 meters, at a speed of 230 km/h, the aircraft banked left, lost height and crashed, bursting into flames. The aircraft was destroyed and all nine occupants were killed. The aircraft was on its way to Shakhrisabz, carrying five passengers, four crew members and a load of 1,200 kilos of mail and various goods.

Probable cause:

The loss of control during initial climb was the consequence of wake turbulences created by an Ilyushin II-76 (CCCP-76482) that just took off from the same runway. It was determined that the time between both takeoffs was 81 seconds only. ATC was blamed to clear the Yak-40's crew too early and not observing the minimum separation between both takeoffs. It was also reported that loading of the cargo was longer than expected and that the Yak-40's crew hurried the departure, neglecting several procedures.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 near Khanty-Mansiysk: 5 killed

Date & Time: May 17, 1986 at 1557 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-87928

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Test

Survivors:

Site:

Plain, Valley

Schedule:

Khanty-Mansiysk - Khanty-Mansiysk

MSN:

9 74 19 55

YOM:

1977

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft suffered an incident at Chita Airport last April 18 when the nose gear collapsed on landing. Following repairs, the crew (three pilots and two engineers) was engaged in a local test flight out from Khanty-Mansiysk Airport. While cruising at an altitude of 6,000 meters, the ailerons were deployed to an angle of 8,5° then the aircraft turned to the right. Eight seconds later, it went out of control, overturned and entered a dive. With a rate of descent of 100 meters per second, the aircraft reached the speed of 620 km/h. With a positive acceleration of 5,25 g the left wing separated and struck the base of the tail that was torn off. The aircraft continued its uncontrolled descent until it crashed in an open field located near the Ob River, about 19 km northwest of the Khanty-Mansiysk Airport. The aircraft was destroyed and all five crew members were killed. The wreckage was found a day later.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the captain elected to perform a barrel in flight, in violation of all published procedures in force.

Final Report:

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Chita

Date & Time: Apr 18, 1986

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-87301

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

9 32 17 28

YOM:

1973

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

Upon landing at Chita-Kadala Airport, the right main landing gear collapsed. This caused the right wing to struck the ground and the aircraft slid several yards then veered off runway to the right and came to rest. While all 32 occupants were uninjured, the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Probable cause:

The right main landing gear collapsed upon landing after the kingpin arm of the folding brace mount failed due to manufacturing defect.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 near Kutaisi: 14 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1985 at 1009 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-87803

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Mountains

Schedule:

Tbilisi – Kutaisi – Poti

MSN:

9 23 09 23

YOM:

1972

Flight number:

SU07G

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

According to published procedures, the crew was supposed to climb to an altitude of 2,400 meters after takeoff from Kutaisi Airport. But due to an Aeroflot Antonov AN-24 that was approaching another airport in Kutaisi, the crew was instructed by ATC to maintain the altitude of 300 meters after departure. Few minutes after takeoff, while cruising in bad weather conditions, the crew failed to switch from VFR to IFR mode when, in restricted visibility, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located some 47 km west of the airport. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 14 occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

The accident was the consequence of a poor ATC assistance and radar coverage of the region as well as a lack of ATC coordination in the Kutaisi Airport area control center. At the time of the accident, ATC was unaware of the lack of visibility due to poor weather conditions. Lack of discipline, poor work organization and procedures violation were considered as contributing factors.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40K in Omsukchan

Date & Time: Aug 15, 1983

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

MAP Arsenyev

Registration:

CCCP-87201

Flight Phase:

Takeoff (climb)

Flight Type:

Cargo

Survivors:

Site:

MSN:

9 74 12 56

YOM:

1977

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

The aircraft was engaged in a cargo flight, carrying five passengers, four crew members and a load of 1,930 kilos of fish. Prior to departure, the crew allowed illegal passengers to board as well as additional cargo that was not weighted. During the takeoff roll, the captain realized he would not be able to takeoff so he decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and initiated an emergency braking manoeuvre. For unknown reasons, the crew started to brake two seconds later and reduced the speed lever seven seconds later only. Unable to stop within the remaining distance (reversers activated too late), the aircraft overran and came to a halt 200 meters further. A passenger was injured while eight other occupants were unhurt. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair (irreparable structural damages).

Probable cause:

The crew failed to prepare the flight properly and the aircraft was overloaded at the time of the accident with a CofG that was too far front. The crew was aware of the situation prior to takeoff.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Osh

Date & Time: Jun 29, 1983

Type of aircraft:

Landing (descent or approach)

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-87808

Flight Phase:

Flight Type:

Survivors:

Site:

Schedule:

Bishkek - OSh

MSN:

9 23 18 23

YOM:

1972

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

While cruising at an altitude of 7,200 meters over the city of Kazarman on a flight from Bishkek to Osh, the aircraft encountered severe downdrafts and entered an uncontrolled descent during which it lost 2,200 meters and recorded excessive loads of +5.5 g. The crew finally took over control of the airplane and landed safely at Osh Airport. Nevertheless, the aircraft became unserviceable following irreparable structural damages. All nine occupants were injured.

Probable cause:

In-flight structural damages caused by severe downdrafts in altitude.

Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 near Leninakan: 21 killed

Date & Time: Apr 19, 1983 at 1809 LT

Type of aircraft:

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-87291

Flight Phase:

Flight

Flight Type: