Country
code

Kabul

Crash of a Boeing 737-46J in Kabul

Date & Time: Dec 10, 2016 at 1224 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
JY-JAQ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Herat - Kabul
MSN:
27826/2694
YOM:
1995
Flight number:
4Q502
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
164
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
5078
Captain / Total hours on type:
4877.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
3380
Copilot / Total hours on type:
3177
Aircraft flight hours:
56805
Aircraft flight cycles:
28611
Circumstances:
On 10 December 2016, JAV Boeing 737-400 Aircraft, registration JY-JAQ, operating a leased scheduled passenger flight SFW 502, on behalf of SAFI Airways under wet lease contract with the later call sign, departed a domestic flight from Herat Airport (OAHR), at 07:00 Z from RWY 36 to Kabul International Airport (OAKB) Afghanistan. At approximately 07:57:45 Z, the Aircraft touched down RWY 29 at Kabul. The aircraft departed Herat with 164 passengers ,07 Operating Crewmembers and 02 Engineers , Total on board were 173 person. As the flight approached OAKB, the crew received the automatic terminal information service (ATIS) from OAKB station at 07:45 Z indicating normal weather with visibility of 6 Km, temperature 07 degrees Celsius and wind of 150/07. The Aircraft was configured for landing with the flaps set to 30, and approach speed selected of 152 knots (VREF + 10) indicated airspeed (IAS). The Aircraft was cleared to approach ILS 29. The Aircraft was vectored by the radar for RWY 29. Air traffic control cleared the flight to land, with the wind reported to be 190 degrees at 15 knots. The crew stated that a few seconds after the touchdown, they felt the aircraft vibrating, during which they applied brakes and deployed the reverse thrust. The vibration was followed by the aircraft rolling slightly low to the right. It later came to a full stop left of the runway centre line, resting on its left main landing gear and the right engine, with the nose landing gear in the air. The occurrence occurred at approximately 3,806 ft / 1,160 m past the threshold. The PIC declared Emergency to the ATC and the cockpit crew initiated an evacuation command from the left side of the aircraft. Evacuation was successfully accomplished with No reported injuries. Kabul airport RFF reached the occurrence aircraft and observed the smoke coming from right side and immediately deployed their procedures by spraying foam on engine # 2. The aircraft sustained substantial damage due to the separation of the right main gear resulting on the aircraft skidding on the right engine cowlings. No injuries were sustained by any of the occupants during the occurrence or the evacuation sequence. Operating crew of the incident flight were called by the Afghani Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) for interview and medical examination (alcohol and drugs, blood test). No injuries were reported by the occupants of the Aircraft or the ground crew.
Probable cause:
The Investigation committee determines that the airplane occasionally experienced main landing gear shimmy and the most probable cause indicated that the struts were extended for long period of time. As a result, the torsion link of the shimmy damper remained in an extended vertical position, where the damper has less mechanical advantage for longer periods of time. Despite the presence of shimmy damper hardware which is designed to reduce the torsional vibration energy generated during landing.
Contributing factors to the event include:
- High altitude airport of 5,877 feet.
- An overly soft landing, allows the landing gears to remain in the air mode longer, which makes them more vulnerable to shimmy,
- Touchdown with a closure rate of 1 fps, which is considered overly soft and may increase the risk of shimmy torsional forces,
- High ground speed at touchdown of 178 knots ,which resulted from the high touchdown airspeed of 158 knots , touchdown at (VREF+16).
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 737-4Y0 in Kabul

Date & Time: Nov 7, 2014 at 1500 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YA-PIE
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Herat - Kabul
MSN:
26086/2475
YOM:
1993
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Upon touchdown at Kabul Airport runway 29, the right main gear collapsed, causing the right engine nacelle to struck the runway surface. The aircraft slid for few dozen metres before coming to rest. All occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Boeing 737-4Y0 in Kabul

Date & Time: May 8, 2014 at 1704 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YA-PIB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
New Delhi – Kaboul
MSN:
26077/2425
YOM:
1993
Flight number:
FG312
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
122
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from New Delhi-Indira Gandhi Airport, the crew was cleared for an ILS approach to Kabul Airport Runway 29. On short final, the aircraft entered an area of heavy rain falls. The crew continued the approach and the aircraft landed after the touchdown zone. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the aircraft overran, lost its undercarriage, collided with the ILS antenna and slid for 285 metres before coming to rest. All 132 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the crew completed the landing too far down the runway, reducing the landing distance available. The following contributing factors were identified:
- The crew failed to follow SOP's,
- Poor crew recurrent training,
- The thrust reverse systems were activated too late after landing.

Crash of a Lockheed L-382E-20C Hercules near Kabul: 8 killed

Date & Time: Oct 12, 2010 at 1950 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
5X-TUC
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Bagram - Kabul
MSN:
4362
YOM:
1969
Flight number:
NCR662
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
The four engine aircraft departed Bagram AFB on a short flight to Kabul, carrying 8 crew members and a load of various equipment on behalf of the NATO forces based in Pakistan. En route, while cruising by night, the aircraft impacted a rocky face located 30 km east of Kabul. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 8 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76TD near Kōh-e Khāk-e Shahīdān: 8 killed

Date & Time: Nov 11, 2005 at 0953 LT
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
4L-ZIL
Flight Phase:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Kabul - Bagram
MSN:
00534 64926
YOM:
1985
Flight number:
RPK1102
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
8
Circumstances:
After being offloaded at Kabul Airport following a flight from Bahrain, the four engine aircraft took off for a short flight to Bagram AFB, carrying a load of telecommunication equipments for the US Armed Forces. Few minutes after takeoff, the crew changed frequency and contacted Bagram Airbase. Due to traffic at Bagram, the crew was instructed to hold at 10,000 feet about 10 nm south of Bagram AFB. Shortly later, the crew started the descent in haze when the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located near Kōh-e Khāk-e Shahīdān, about 28,6 km northwest of Kabul. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all eight occupants were killed. At the time of the accident, the visibility was estimated to be 5 km with haze and clouds at 1,200 feet. The wreckage wasa found at an altitude of 2,120 metres.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Antonov AN-12BP in Kabul

Date & Time: Apr 25, 2005
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
UN-11003
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Dubai – Kabul
MSN:
5 3 430 04
YOM:
1965
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After landing at Kabul Airport, following an uneventful cargo flight from Dubai, the aircraft became uncontrollable. It veered off runway to the left and came to rest. A small fire erupted near the undercarriage and was quickly extinguished. All six crew members were rescued but slightly injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Loss of control after a tyre burst shortly after touchdown.

Crash of a Boeing 737-242 near Kabul: 104 killed

Date & Time: Feb 3, 2005 at 1515 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EX-037
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Herat - Kabul
MSN:
22075
YOM:
1980
Flight number:
KMF904
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
97
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
105
Circumstances:
On February 3, 2005, a Boeing 737-242 aircraft (the "Aircraft") with Kyrgyz Republic registration EX-037, operated by Phoenix Aviation, was conducting Kam Air Flight 904 from Herat to Kabul. There were a total of 105 occupants on board the Aircraft, including eight crew members and ninety-seven passengers. The Aircraft was cruising at flight level 270 when it contacted Bagram Radar Approach Control ("Bagram") for descent and landing. The flight was normal until it failed to level at flight level 130 during the VOR/DME approach. At 1043:24 UTC, Bagram cleared the flight to descend at its discretion and to expect the VOR approach to runway 29. The prevailing weather was also passed on to the Aircraft. Visibility was reported 2 kilometers with snow, ceiling 2,200 feet broken. wind calm and altimeter setting QNH 1016. AT 1043:58 UTC, when the Aircraft was 35 miles west of the Kabul VOR. radar contact was established with Ba9ram. The Aircraft was advised by Bagram to cross the VOR at or above flight level 130 and cleared it for the VOR/DME approach to runway 29. At 1048:41 UTC the Aircraft reported flight level 130. Bagram again cleared the Aircraft for the VOR approach to runway 29 and advised the Aircraft to report procedure turn inbound. The crew replied that they would report proceeding inbound for the VOR approach to runway 29. This was the last transmission from the Aircraft. At about 1050:11 UTC, Bagram stated that radar contact had been lost with the Aircraft. Bagram and Kabul Air Traffic Control Tower attempted to locate the Aircraft through radar and radio communication, but were not successful. Search for the Aircraft was delayed and hampered due to a severe snowstorm in the region. The Aircraft was located approximately three days later by an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) helicopter approximately 30 kilometers southeast of Kabul International Airport at N 36 27.900 E 69 30.185. The Aircraft was destroyed by force of impact from colliding with the mountain. All 105 occupants on board the Aircraft had received fatal injuries. Subsequently, all bodies were recovered and identified. The wreckage was found at the altitude of 9,960 feet (3,035 metres) on the summit of Mt Shapiri Ghar located about 30 km southeast of Kabul Airport.
Probable cause:
The accident occurred probably due to the premature descent by the aircraft below its minimum assigned altitude of 13,000 feet during approach in weather conditions below VFR requirements. The reason for descending below the minimum altitude could not be determined due to inadequate evidence. The investigation was severely affected due to non-availability of FDR and CVR data readouts. The investigation was finalized to the extent possible based on the limited evidence available. The investigation revealed that the aircraft did not proceed to the VOR as instructed by the air traffic controller and descended below the minimum assigned altitude prior to being established on any segment of the approach. As a result, the aircraft collided with a mountain. The cause of descending below the assigned altitude could not be determined due to inadequate data and evidence.
Final Report:

Crash of a Boeing 727-228A near Kabul: 45 killed

Date & Time: Mar 19, 1998 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
YA-FAZ
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Sharjah - Kandahar - Kabul
MSN:
22288
YOM:
1981
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
35
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
45
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a charter flight from Sharjah to Kabul with an intermediate stop in Kandahar, carrying 35 passengers and 10 crew members. While descending to Kabul-Khwaja Rawash Airport, the crew encountered poor weather conditions and failed to realize his altitude was insufficient. The aircraft struck the slope of Mt Shakh-e Barantay (2,714 metres high) located about 15 km south of the airport. The wreckage was found less than 100 metres below the summit. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all 45 occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
Controlled flight into terrain.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76MD in Kabul

Date & Time: Jun 12, 1990
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-86905
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tashkent - Kabul
MSN:
00234 36054
YOM:
1982
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
10
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
3343
Aircraft flight cycles:
2342
Circumstances:
While cruising over the Pagman Pass at an altitude of 7,700 meters on a cargo flight from Tashkent to Kabul, the aircraft was hit by a Stinger missile that struck the front left part of the fuselage. Three meters square of fuselage was sheared off and both left engine failed. The crew started an emergency descent while being 70 km from the Kabul Airport but was eventually forced to attempt an emergency landing in a field located few km from Kabul Airport. The aircraft landed with flaps and undercarriage up and came to rest. All 10 occupants were rescued, among them two were seriously injured.
Probable cause:
Shot down by a Stinger missile.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76MD in Kabul: 9 killed

Date & Time: Mar 27, 1990 at 1130 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-78781
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tashkent - Kokand - Kabul
MSN:
00834 89670
YOM:
1988
Flight number:
3501
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
9
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
9
Aircraft flight hours:
1228
Aircraft flight cycles:
925
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a cargo flight from Tashkent to Kabul with an intermediate stop in Kokand, Uzbekistan, carrying a load of fuel drums. While descending to Kabul Airport, the crew was instructed by ATC to maintain FL190 as an Afghan Antonov AN-32 was passing just below at FL180. Shortly later, the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed in a huge explosion 7,6 km east of Kabul-Khwaja Rawash Airport. All nine occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The accident was the consequence of the combination of the following factors:
- Crew failure to maintain flight speed modes recommended by IL-76 for various airplane configurations, which reduced the available margin of angle of attack to critical modes;
- Insufficient control of crew members over the determining flight parameters, which led to a violation of the established restrictions on the permissible angle of attack and the minimum flight speed;
- Lack of piloting skills at high angles of attack, due to the imperfection of the training system for crews in special flight situations;
- The pilots were unable to recognize the exit to critical angles of attack and implement the IL-76 recommendations to prevent stall;
- The need for maneuvering according to the descent scheme in combat conditions at close to flight restriction conditions and the presence of three aircraft flying in clouds at short intervals without appropriate radar control created a difficult situation for the crew, which was aggravated after the controller informed about the need to temporarily stop the descent in connection with the take-off of the An-32 aircraft, which led to a change in the prevailing stereotype of crew actions.