Zone
Crash of a Piper PA-31-310 Navajo in Tukums: 1 killed
Date & Time:
Aug 16, 2008 at 1030 LT
Operator:
Registration:
YL-CCX
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Riga - Tukums
MSN:
31-647
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
The twin engine aircraft departed Riga on a flight to Tukums with eight people on board to take part to an airshow. Several others aircraft were also en route to Tukums but most of the pilots returned to their departure point due to the deterioration of the weather conditions. On approach to Tukums Airport runway 32, the pilot encountered poor visibility. Unable to establish a visual contact with the runway, he initiated a go-around procedure. After several circuits, he attempted a second approach under VFR mode. Too low, the aircraft struck a hill and eventually crashed in a private garden, coming to rest broken in two. All eight occupants were injured, some seriously. Few hours later, the pilot died from his injuries.
Crash of an Antonov AN-24RV in Stepanavan
Date & Time:
Apr 6, 1993
Operator:
Registration:
YL-LCH
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Riga - Stepanavan
MSN:
57310309
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The aircraft landed nose first at Stepanavan Airport. Upon impact, the nose gear collapsed and the aircraft slid for about 600 metres before coming to rest. All 32 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Crash of an Antonov AN-26 in Minsk
Date & Time:
Apr 12, 1983
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-26686
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Riga – Minsk
MSN:
88 06
YOM:
1979
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On a cargo flight from Riga to Minsk-Loshitsa (Minsk-1) with the center of gravity being out of the envelope (too far aft), the aircraft came in too fast and too high on final approach. The captain failed to initiate a go-around and the aircraft touched down on all three wheels with a positive acceleration of 5.1 g and at a speed of 250 km/h. It bounced three times and suffered irreparable structural damages. All 5 crew members were unhurt.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration. Poor flight preparation and supervision.
Crash of an Antonov AN-24B in Leningrad
Date & Time:
Jan 13, 1976
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-47280
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Riga – Leningrad – Kirov
MSN:
0 73 064 10
YOM:
1970
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
39
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
11711
Aircraft flight cycles:
8920
Circumstances:
The crew was performing a flight from Riga to Kirov with an intermediate stop in Leningrad. The approach was started by night and below minima-weather conditions. On final approach, the aircraft dropped below the glide path and the captain switched off the ground proximity warning system so the aircraft hit tree tops some 1,700 metres before the inner marker, stalled and crashed in a wooded area located 2,165 metres before the runway threshold. All 5 crew members and 23 of the 39 passengers were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
The crew decided to complete the approach while the weather conditions were below minima. Following a wrong approach configuration, the captain allowed the aircraft to drop below the glide path and switched off the GPWS' alarm that was sounding in the cockpit, causing the aircraft to collide with trees and to crash.
