Saratov-Tsentralny | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives

While descending to Saratov-Tsentralny Airport, the crew contacted ATC and was cleared to continue the approach. In poor visibility due to bad weather (low clouds and rain falls), the crew failed to realize his altitude was insufficient when the airplane struck tree tops and crashed in a wooded area located 4,5 km west of the airport. Due to poor weather conditions, rescuers arrived on scene at 2200LT in the evening. The copilot and an illegal passenger were seriously injured while 14 other occupants were killed.

Probable cause:

It was determined that the crew continued the approach below weather minima and failed to see and avoid ground obstacles. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Wrong decision on part of ATC at Saratov Airport as the crew should be diverted to another airport and not cleared for approach,
- Information transmitted to crew regarding weather conditions and forecast were inaccurate,
- Poor flight operations conception,
- Poor flight preparation,
- Wrong decisions ont part of ATC and pilots,
- Poor weather conditions (limited visibility, low clouds, rain).

Crash of an Antonov AN-24RV in Saratov

Date & Time: Mar 10, 1976

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-24

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-46613

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Yes

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Ufa – Saratov

MSN:

3 73 086 10

YOM:

1973

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Circumstances:

On a night approach to Saratov-Tsentralny Airport, the pilot allowed the aircraft to drop below the glide path. The twin engine aircraft hit the runway surface with a positive acceleration of 2.35 g, bounced and nosed down prior to hit the runway a second time with a positive acceleration of 3 g. The aircraft went out of control, veered off runway to the left and came to rest in flames in a grassy area. While the aircraft was destroyed, all 57 occupants were evacuated safely.

Probable cause:

Wrong approach configuration on part the of the crew who failed to follow the approved and published procedures.

Crash of an Antonov AN-24B in Saratov: 57 killed

Date & Time: Dec 1, 1971 at 2148 LT

Type of aircraft:

Antonov AN-24

Operator:

Registration:

CCCP-46788

Flight Phase:

Landing (descent or approach)

Flight Type:

Scheduled Revenue Flight

Survivors:

Site:

Airport (less than 10 km from airport)

Schedule:

Sverdlovsk - Ufa - Saratov

MSN:

57301705

YOM:

1965

Flight number:

SU2174

Location:

Country:

Region:

Crew on board:

Crew fatalities:

Pax on board:

Pax fatalities:

Other fatalities:

Total fatalities:

Aircraft flight hours:

10913

Aircraft flight cycles:

8544

Circumstances:

On approach to Saratov-Tsentralny Airport by night, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with fog, clouds from 100 to 1,000 meters and icing conditions. While approaching at an altitude of 400 meters with flaps and landing gear up, the aircraft nosed down to a 7-9° angle then rolled to the right. It descended with a high vertical speed before crashing in flames 13 km short of runway threshold. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and the wreckage was found 1,300 meters to the right of the approach path. All 57 occupants have been killed.

Probable cause:

The aircraft was approaching at an estimated speed of 240-260 km/h with flaps retracted when it rolled to the right and started an uncontrolled descent with a high vertical speed. It is believed that the loss of control was probably caused by an excessive accumulation of ice on fuselage and wings which adversely modified the aerodynamic characteristics of the aircraft. Investigations determined that the aircraft had flown in icing conditions for a period of 3 minutes and 50 seconds, resulting in an accumulation of 15 millimeters of ice. The reason why the flaps were not deployed could not be determined.