Zone
Imereti

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154B-1 in Kutaisi

Date & Time: Oct 20, 1990 at 1410 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-154
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-85268
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kutaisi - Kiev - Saint-Petersburg
MSN:
78A268
YOM:
1978
Location:
Kutaisi
Imereti
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
164
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
23472
Aircraft flight cycles:
10227
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll, at a speed of 255 km/h, the captain initiated the rotation but the aircraft failed to respond. In such conditions, he decided to abandon the takeoff procedure and started an emergency braking maneuver. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost one main gear and came to rest 781 meters further. All 173 occupants were evacuated, among them 11 were injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It appears that aircraft was overloaded and the CofG was out of the envelope. In such conditions, a rotation was impossible.
Probable cause:
Poor flight preparation on part of the crew and ground operations. The following factors were reported:
- The total weight of the aircraft was well above the MTOW,
- The CofG was too far forward, out of the enveloppe,
- The crew failed to identify the situation in due time.

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

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1985 at 1009 LT
Type of aircraft:
Yakovlev Yak-40
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-87803
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tbilisi – Kutaisi – Poti
MSN:
9 23 09 23
YOM:
1972
Flight number:
SU07G
Location:
Kutaisi
Imereti
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
14
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 Let L-410M in Sukhumi: 11 killed

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1982 at 1809 LT
Type of aircraft:
Let L-410
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-67191
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Sukhumi - Kutaisi
MSN:
78 11 20
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
SU73G
Location:
Sukhumi-Babushara
Abkhazia
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
9
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Aircraft flight hours:
2738
Aircraft flight cycles:
4098
Circumstances:
The Let L-410 departed the terminal and was approaching the runway to depart for a schedule service to Kutaisi, carrying nine passengers and a crew of two. At 1808LT, the crew of an Aeroflot Tupolev TU-134 registered CCCP-65836 was cleared for takeoff from runway 02. En route to Moscow-Vnukovo, the Tupolev was carrying 76 passengers and a crew of six. During the takeoff run, 26 seconds after it started to roll, at a speed of 195 km/h, the crew of the TU-134 sighted a Let L-410M entering the runway. The captain of the Tupolev decided to abandon the takeoff maneuver and initiated an emergency braking procedure. Spoilers were deployed and revers systems were activated. He elected to turn to the left to reach an exit taxiway. In the same time, the crew of the Let saw the Tupolev coming from their right and increased engine power to move forward. Seven seconds after the crew of the Tupolev rejected takeoff, at a speed of 216 km/h, the right wing of the Tupolev struck the Let that was destroyed upon impact. The Tupolev rolled for about 514 meters then veered off runway to the left and came to rest 48 meters to the left of its centerline. All 82 people on board the TU-134 escaped uninjured while all 11 people on board the Let were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the collision was the consequence of a series of errors made by the crew of the Let L-410 who failed to follow ATC and ground controllers instructions regarding taxiing procedures prior to takeoff, which led them to enter the runway when he was not authorized to do so. A poor management in flights organization at Sukhumi Airport remains a contributing factor as well as few procedures violation on the part of ATC and ground controllers, among others concerning the use of a non-standard phraseology which may create confusion to the crew.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 near Kutaisi

Date & Time: Apr 16, 1974
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-33085
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
MSN:
1140 473 15
YOM:
1960
Location:
Kutaisi
Imereti
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
While flying over the mountainous terrain near Kutaisi, the single engine aircraft was caught by a downdraft, lost height and crashed. There were no casualties.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-104B in Moscow: 122 killed

Date & Time: Oct 13, 1973 at 2018 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-104
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-42486
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Kutaisi - Moscow
MSN:
0 2 15 04
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
SU964
Location:
Moscow-Domodedovo
Moscow oblast
Country:
Russia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
114
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
122
Aircraft flight hours:
16250
Aircraft flight cycles:
9776
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Kutaisi, the crew started the descent to Moscow-Domodedovo by night and good weather conditions. On approach at an altitude of 1,300 feet, the airplane banked left to an angle of 75° then nosed down and crashed in a huge explosion in a potatoes field located 16,3 km from the runway threshold. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 122 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the loss of control on approach was the consequence of the failure of artificial horizons as a result of a malfunction of the on-board electrical system. The combination of night, lack of visibility and flight instruments failure caused the pilot to suffer a spatial disorientation and the eventual loss of control.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-14P in Surami: 7 killed

Date & Time: Nov 28, 1964 at 0741 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-14
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-41883
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tbilisi – Kutaisi
MSN:
1460 007 08
YOM:
1956
Flight number:
SU051F
Location:
Surami
Shida Kartli
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
11
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
7
Aircraft flight hours:
14861
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Tbilisi Airport at 0655LT bound for Kutaisi on flight SU051F. The crew was cleared to climb to 2,700 meters and while approaching the region of Surami, he encountered poor weather conditions with snow falls and a visibility reduced to 50-500 meters. Following successives errors on part of ATC based in Kutaisi, the crew was cleared to descend from 2,700 to 2,100, 1,500 and then to 1,200 meters successively. In zero visibility, the twin engine aircraft struck the slope of a snow covered mountain located near Surami. The wreckage was found a day later at the altitude of 980 meters. Three crew members and four passengers were killed while eight other people were seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed but there was no fire.
Probable cause:
It was determined the accident was the consequence of the following factors:
- ATC at Tbilisi transferred the flight to ATC at Kutaisi without assuring the exact position of the aircraft,
- At the time of the accident, the airplane was too late on track and 37 km behind schedule due to strong headwinds (120 km/h instead of 70 km/h),
- Inappropriate information regarding the wind component and speed were transmitted to the crew,
- ATC at Kutaisi misinterpreted aircraft and transmitted instructions to the wrong crew, causing the aircraft to descend prematurely.

Crash of an Avia 14P near Kutaisi: 32 killed

Date & Time: Aug 24, 1963 at 1053 LT
Type of aircraft:
Avia 14
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-61617
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tbilisi – Kutaisi – Sukhumi – Krasnodar
MSN:
014 602 107
YOM:
1957
Flight number:
SU663
Location:
Kutaisi
Imereti
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
27
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
32
Aircraft flight hours:
11682
Circumstances:
After takeoff from Kutaisi, the crew decided to continue under VFR rules despite a limited visibility due to heavy rain falls. In such conditions, the crew did not realize he deviated about 13 km from the prescribed departure route and was cruising at an insufficient altitude. Eight minutes after its departure, while cruising at an altitude of 900 meters, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located 7 km north of Gereshkori, about 32 km northwest of Kutaisi. The wreckage was found a day later and all 32 occupants were killed, among them three stowaways.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew decided to continue under VFR mode in IMC conditions. At the time of the accident, weather and visibility were poor. The lack of ATC assistance and inaccurate weather information transmitted to the crew were considered as contributing factors.

Crash of an Antonov AN-2 near Kutaisi: 2 killed

Date & Time: Jun 20, 1962 at 1852 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-2
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-32619
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Tsagueri – Kutaisi
MSN:
1 104 473 03
YOM:
26
Location:
Kutaisi
Imereti
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
2
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
2
Aircraft flight hours:
6904
Circumstances:
All passengers disembarked at Tsagueri Airport and the crew departed Tsagueri at 1839LT on a ferry flight back to Kutaisi. Weather conditions worsened en route and while approaching the mountain at an altitude of 850 meters, the crew encountered clouds. The airplane struck tree tops and crashed in flames in a wooded area located on a mountain, some 24 km north of Kutaisi. The aircraft was destroyed and both crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew started the descent prematurely and that he was not properly assisted by ATC who did not provide adequate information according to weather conditions. In fact, the accident is the consequence of a control flight into terrain.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-14P in Tkvarcheli: 31 killed

Date & Time: Jun 10, 1960 at 1055 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-14
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-91571
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Rostov-on-Don – Krasnodar – Sochi – Sukhumi – Kutaisi – Tbilisi
MSN:
7 34 31 07
YOM:
7
Flight number:
SU207
Location:
Tkvarcheli
Abkhazia
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
31
Aircraft flight hours:
5423
Circumstances:
After his departure from Sukhumi Airport, the crew continued to the southeast bound for Kutaisi at an altitude of 1,200 meters when poor weather conditions were encountered with clouds from 600 to 1,000 meters. Following a navigation error, the aircraft deviated 17 km to the north when it struck trees and crashed in flames on the north slope of Mt Rech (1,436 meters high) located near Tkvarcheli. The wreckage was found a day later. The airplane was completely destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire and all 31 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the accident was the consequence of a navigation error on part of the crew, causing the aircraft to be off track by 17 km to the north. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- The crew was hastily fixed the day prior to the accident on a complexe routing,
- In spite of this complexity, the operations of the company failed to join a navigator to the crew, either a mechanic,
- Poor flight preparation,
- Poor weather assessment,
- The crew failed to make fix point after his departure from Sukhumi,
- Absence of radio monitoring on part of the Sukhumi services,
- Meteorologists failed to inform the pilots about the wind component and the weather conditions along the route,
- Shortcomings were noted with ATC services as the person in charge to follow the plane was a trainee who was not authorized to work independently. It was noted that for 20 minutes (a period corresponding to a distance of 100 km), the crew did not receive any ATC messages about his position or flight path.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-14P off Sukhumi: 6 killed

Date & Time: Apr 22, 1956 at 2050 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-14
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-L1718
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Postal (mail)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Moscow-Vnukovo – Kharkiv – Rostov-on-Don – Sukhumi – Kutaisi – Tbilisi
MSN:
1460 002 02
YOM:
14
Flight number:
SU227
Location:
Sukhumi-Babushara
Abkhazia
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
6
Aircraft flight hours:
19
Aircraft flight cycles:
12
Circumstances:
Less than one minute after takeoff from Sukhumi Airport by night, while climbing to a height of 60 meters, the aircraft adopted a pitch-down attitude and eventually crashed into the sea about 3 km off shore. The airplane sank by 15 meters deep and all six occupants were killed. The aircraft was carrying a load of 2,117 kilos of mail.
Probable cause:
The exact cause of the accident could not be established with certainty. However, the assumption the pilot could be blinded by a beam was not ruled out.
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