Region
Asia

Crash of an Antonov AN-24RV in Tbilisi

Date & Time: Sep 18, 2008 at 2127 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-24
Operator:
Registration:
4L-MJX
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
1 73 070 04
YOM:
1971
Location:
Tbilisi
Tbilisi City District
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Tbilisi Airport by night, the aircraft's speed was excessive while passing over the inner marker at a height of 204 feet. Upon landing, the aircraft hit the ground with a positive aerodynamic force estimated between 1,81 and 1,97 G. The aircraft bounced several times and eventually hit the ground with a positive aerodynamic force of 4,82 G. The nose gear collapsed and punctured the cockpit floor. Then the aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest. There were no injuries while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration and excessive speed upon landing. It appears that the approach speed over the inner marker was 224 km/h instead of 170-180 km/h according to procedures. Also, the aircraft's attitude upon landing was incorrect.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-18D near Batumi: 84 killed

Date & Time: Oct 25, 2000 at 1722 LT
Type of aircraft:
Ilyushin II-18
Operator:
Registration:
RA-74295
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Moscow – Batumi
MSN:
187 0106 02
YOM:
1967
Location:
Batumi
Adjara
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
73
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
84
Captain / Total flying hours:
1579
Captain / Total hours on type:
212.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
1242
Aircraft flight hours:
15256
Aircraft flight cycles:
7694
Circumstances:
This flight between Moscow and Batumi was operated by the Russian Air Force twice a month. On board were Russian soldiers and family members returning to their base in Batumi following a leave period. Due to poor weather conditions west of Batumi, the crew was cleared to initiate the approach to Batumi-Chorokh Airport from the northeast to runway 31 while the usual approach is from the sea to runway 13. While descending in poor visibility at an altitude of 940 metres and a speed of 340 km/h, the aircraft struck the slope of Mt Mtirala (,1336 metres high) located about 17 km northeast of Batumi Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 84 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain after the crew continued the approach in poor weather conditions below the minimum prescribed altitude and while deviated from the approach path. The following contributing factors were identified:
- Navigational error on part of the crew during the final stage of the approach,
- ATC based at Batumi Airport failed to determine the exact position of the aircraft and failed to warn the crew accordingly,
- The crew 's decision to continue the approach in such conditions rather than to divert to a suitable alternate airport,
- Erroneous data transmitted by ground navigational aids in the Batumi area.

Ground explosion of a Tupolev TU-134A in Sukhumi: 1 killed

Date & Time: Sep 23, 1993
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-134
Operator:
Registration:
4L-65001
Flight Phase:
Parking
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Sukhumi - Tbilisi
MSN:
42235
YOM:
1976
Location:
Sukhumi-Babushara
Abkhazia
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
24
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Circumstances:
While parked at Sukhumi-Babushara Airport, the aircraft was struck by a mortar shell, caught fire and exploded. The captain was killed and 29 other occupants were injured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Destroyed by a mortar shell.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154B in Sukhumi: 108 killed

Date & Time: Sep 22, 1993 at 1830 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-154
Operator:
Registration:
4L-85163
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Tbilisi - Sukhumi
MSN:
76A163
YOM:
1976
Location:
Sukhumi-Babushara
Abkhazia
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
120
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
108
Circumstances:
On final approach to Sukhumi-Babushara Airport, the aircraft was shot down by a surface-to-air missile and crashed near the runway threshold, bursting into flames. 24 people survived while 108 others were killed. All passengers were Georgian soldiers and policeman dispatched to Sukhumi.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a surface-to-air missile fired by Abkhazi separatists.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134A off Sukhumi: 27 killed

Date & Time: Sep 21, 1993 at 1625 LT
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-134
Operator:
Registration:
4L-65893
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Charter/Taxi (Non Scheduled Revenue Flight)
Survivors:
No
Site:
Lake, Sea, Ocean, River
Schedule:
Sochi - Sukhumi
MSN:
53 40120
YOM:
1975
Location:
Sukhumi-Babushara
Abkhazia
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
22
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
27
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a charter flight from Sochi to Sukhumi, carrying foreign and Russian journalists. On final approach to Babushara Airport, at a height of 300 metres, the aircraft was hit by a surface-to-air Strela missile and crashed in the bay of Sukhumi about 4 km offshore. All 27 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Strela missile fired by Abkhazi separatists based on a patrol boat.

Crash of an Antonov AN-26B near Choporti: 33 killed

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1993 at 2215 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-26
Operator:
Registration:
EY-26035
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Batumi - Baku - Shimkent
MSN:
106 04
YOM:
1981
Location:
Choporti
Mtskheta-Mtianeti
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
28
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
33
Circumstances:
En route from Batumi to Baku, while cruising at the assigned altitude of 5,100 metres, the crew encountered poor weather conditions with thunderstorm activity and severe turbulences. Shortly later, the aircraft stalled, entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed on the slope of a mountain (690 metres high) located near Choporti. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 33 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Loss of control in flight following atmospheric turbulences in thunderstorm area.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154B in Tbilisi: 28 killed

Date & Time: Jul 20, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-154
Operator:
Registration:
85222
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Cargo
Survivors:
No
Site:
City
Schedule:
Tbilisi - Mineralnye Vody
MSN:
77A222
YOM:
1977
Location:
Tbilisi-Shota-Rustaveli (ex Novo Alekseyevka)
Tbilisi City District
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
16
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
During the takeoff roll on runway 31R at Tbilisi-Novo Alekseyevka Airport, after V1 speed, the pilot-in-command started the rotation. The nose gear lifted off and the aircraft nosed up to an angle of 6-7°. Both main landing gear failed to lift off and the aircraft continued to roll until the end of the runway. It overran, rolled 490 metres, struck the localizer antenna, continued for 190 metres and eventually crashed in a residential area, bursting into flames. The aircraft as well as nine houses were totally destroyed. All 24 occupants as well as four people on the ground were killed, 10 others were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
The aircraft was engaged in a cargo flight and was loaded with 20 tons of tea. Following violation of loading regulations on part of the ground personnel, three tons were loaded unbeknownst to the crew. Manifest and weight & balance sheet were incorrect and the aircraft was overloaded by 2 tons at the time of the accident. Also, the CofG was outside the forward limit. All 16 passengers did not have any ticket and were not authorized to embark on such commercial cargo flight.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134A in Batumi

Date & Time: Jan 24, 1992
Type of aircraft:
Tupolev TU-134
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65053
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
49838
YOM:
1977
Location:
Batumi
Adjara
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Batumi Airport, the aircraft encountered difficulties to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and lost its nose gear before coming to rest. There were no casualties while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that the runway had not been thoroughly cleared from snow.

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 an Antonov AN-12 near Marneuli: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 11, 1988
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-12
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Military
Survivors:
No
Site:
Mountains
Schedule:
Krymsk – Marneuli
Location:
Marneuli
Kvemo Kartli
Country:
Georgia
Region:
Asia
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
1
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
On the leg from Krymsk to Marneuli of a round flight from Marneuli, the aircraft deviated from the prescribed flight path to the right while approaching Marneuli by night. Crashed on the top of a mountain (1,150 metres high) located 41 km northwest of Marneuli Airfield, west of Tbilisi. All 7 crew and the sole passenger were killed.
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