Country
Moldova
code

Chișinău City District

Crash of an Antonov AN-32B in Chişinău: 8 killed

Date & Time: Apr 11, 2008 at 2217 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-32
Operator:
Kata Air Transport
Registration:
ST-AZL
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Ferry
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chişinău – Antalya – Khartoum
MSN:
30 09
YOM:
1992
Location:
Chișinău
Chișinău City District
Country:
Moldova
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
4
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
4
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Aircraft flight hours:
2668
Aircraft flight cycles:
1954
Circumstances:
Following a maintenance program in Chişinău, the aircraft was ferried back to Khartoum via Antalya. On board were four passengers, four crew members and a load consisting of 2 tons of oil and various equipments. Shortly after takeoff, while in initial climb, the crew informed ATC about the failure of the transponder and was cleared for an immediate return. Too low on final approach, the aircraft struck the ILS antenna and crashed in a field located 200 metres short of runway, bursting into flames. All 8 occupants, among them 4 technicians, were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by a post crash fire.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of a premature descent on part of the crew, combined with an incorrect evaluation of the altitude while completing a visual approach by night. The crew had little experience with night flights, which was considered as a contributing factor.

Crash of an Antonov AN-10A in Chișinău

Date & Time: Oct 12, 1971
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-10
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-11137
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
MSN:
8 4 004 01
YOM:
1958
Location:
Chișinău
Chișinău City District
Country:
Moldova
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Crashed upon landing at Chișinău Airport. There were no casualties.

Crash of an Antonov AN-10A near Chișinău: 1 killed

Date & Time: Aug 8, 1970 at 2052 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-10
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-11188
Flight Phase:
Flight
Flight Type:
Scheduled Revenue Flight
Survivors:
Yes
Site:
Plain, Valley
Schedule:
Vinnitsa - Simferopol
MSN:
0 4 020 05
YOM:
1960
Flight number:
SU888
Location:
Chișinău
Chișinău City District
Country:
Moldova
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
107
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
7
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
1
Aircraft flight hours:
13868
Aircraft flight cycles:
9670
Circumstances:
While cruising at an altitude of 5,400 meters on a flight from Vinnitsa to Simferopol, the crew informed ATC that smoke spread in the cabin and was cleared to divert to Chișinău Airport. Few minutes later, the engine number four caught fire. The crew feathered its propeller when the oil pressure dropped and the propeller left the feather mode. Unable to maintain the prescribed altitude, the captain elected to make an emergency landing. The airplane belly landed in a field located 38 km north of Chișinău Airport and came to rest. The navigator, the radio operator, one flight attendant and 19 passengers were slightly injured while a passenger while killed. All other occupants escaped uninjured. The aircraft was destroyed.
Probable cause:
Failure of an hydraulic line in the engine number four during flight, causing the oil to spill and to catch fire. Poor engine maintenance.

Crash of an Antonov AN-10 in Chișinău: 11 killed

Date & Time: May 15, 1970 at 1149 LT
Type of aircraft:
Antonov AN-10
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-11149
Flight Phase:
Landing (descent or approach)
Flight Type:
Training
Survivors:
No
Site:
Airport (less than 10 km from airport)
Schedule:
Chișinău - Chișinău
MSN:
9 4 008 02
YOM:
1959
Location:
Chișinău
Chișinău City District
Country:
Moldova
Region:
Europe
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
11
Aircraft flight hours:
4641
Aircraft flight cycles:
11820
Circumstances:
The crew (seven pilots under supervision) and four instructors, were completing several training flight at Chișinău Airport. Following several manoeuvres, the crew initiated a new approach with both engines n°3 & 4 out of service. On final, the airplane banked left, lost height and crashed in a huge explosion few km short of runway threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed and all 11 crew members were killed.
Probable cause:
Poor flying techniques on part of the crew and wrong decisions taken during a missed approach under conditions that did not guarantee the continuation of the flight on two engines. The following factors were considered as contributing:
- The approach speed and altitude were below the prescribed values for such manoeuvre,
- The decision of the instructor to initiate a go-around was too late,
- The action to increase power on both left engine was inadapted and insufficient according to the situation,
- The aircraft deviated from the approach path by 1,850 meters,
- The runway at Chișinău Airport was 2,000 meters long, which is insufficient for approach with two engines out,
- The crew failed to inform ATC he was completing an approach with two engines inoperative.
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