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Crash of a Tupolev TU-154B-1 in Sharjah: 85 killed
Date & Time:
Dec 15, 1997 at 1835 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EY-85281
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dushanbe - Sharjah
MSN:
78A281
YOM:
1978
Flight number:
TZK3183
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
79
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
85
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight, the aircraft entered the UAE airspace and was cleared by Dubai ATC to successively descend to FL170, 100, 060 and 025 via heading 190. Passing 3,460 feet on descent, the crew was cleared to continue to 1,500 feet when, at an altitude of 1,800 feet, the aircraft entered an area of turbulences. The level of 1,500 feet was reached 15 km from the runway 30 threshold. For unknown reasons, the crew failed to report he was passing 1,500 feet and was then instructed to continue via heading 270 for the final approach to runway 30. In a relative limited visibility, the crew initiated a right turn at a speed of 400 km/h then lowered the landing gear. At an altitude of 820 feet, an alarm sounded in the cockpit, informing the crew about an excessive angle of attack. The captain corrected the pitch from 20° to 14° when few seconds later, at an altitude of 690 feet, the aircraft entered a second area of turbulences. The captain realized his altitude was insufficient and requested an increase of engine power when the aircraft struck the ground and crashed 13 km short of runway, bursting into flames. The copilot was the only survivor while 85 other occupants were killed. The aircraft disintegrated on impact.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain.
The following findings were identified:
- The crew failed to follow the approach published procedures,
- The crew continued the approach below the MDA until the aircraft collided with terrain,
- The crew failed to proceed to the usual approach briefing and checks,
- Lack of visibility due to the night,
- Crew fatigue,
- Lack of crew mutual crosscheck during descent,
- Lack of crew coordination,
- Turbulences in the approach path,
- Non compliance to published procedures.
The following findings were identified:
- The crew failed to follow the approach published procedures,
- The crew continued the approach below the MDA until the aircraft collided with terrain,
- The crew failed to proceed to the usual approach briefing and checks,
- Lack of visibility due to the night,
- Crew fatigue,
- Lack of crew mutual crosscheck during descent,
- Lack of crew coordination,
- Turbulences in the approach path,
- Non compliance to published procedures.
Crash of a Yakovlev Yak-40 in Khorugh: 82 killed
Date & Time:
Aug 28, 1993 at 1046 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EY-87995
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Khorugh - Dushanbe
MSN:
9 54 19 44
YOM:
1975
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
81
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
82
Circumstances:
During takeoff roll at Khorugh Airport, at Vr speed, the crew started the rotation but the aircraft failed to respond and did not lift off. It continued at high speed, overran, collided with a concrete wall located 150 metres past the runway end and eventually crashed in the Pyanj River. Four passengers were rescued while 82 other occupants were killed, most of them woman, children and soldiers.
Probable cause:
The accident occurred during the Tajik Civil War. It was determined that soldiers forced the crew to embark as many passengers as possible while the Yak-40 is certified fox max 32 passengers. At the time of the accident were 81 passengers on board. As the total weight of the aircraft was 3 tons above MTOW, it was impossible to take off in such conditions.
Crash of an Antonov AN-26B near Choporti: 33 killed
Date & Time:
Jun 17, 1993 at 2215 LT
Operator:
Registration:
EY-26035
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Batumi - Baku - Shimkent
MSN:
106 04
YOM:
1981
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.
