Crash of a Tupolev TU-134A in Yerevan

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1983
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65657
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Simferopol - Yerevan
MSN:
0 35 11 03
YOM:
1970
Location:
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
62
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
17870
Aircraft flight cycles:
11029
Circumstances:
En route from Simferopol to Yerevan, while cruising at an altitude of 10,200 meters over the city of Gali in Abkhazia, the crew spotted CB's at high altitude but failed to modify his route. The aircraft went into the CB's and encountered severe turbulences. The crew was able to continue the flight within further incident and to land at Yerevan Airport. After being parked on apron, the aircraft was inspected and it was later confirmed that it sustained severe structural damages after it recorded excessive G loads (+3.05/-0.65). There were no casualties but the aircraft was considered as damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
In-flight structural damages caused by severe atmospheric turbulences.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134A in Sukhumi

Date & Time: Aug 14, 1982 at 1809 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65836
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sukhumi - Moscow-Vnukovo
MSN:
17113
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
SU974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
76
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
17003
Aircraft flight cycles:
10406
Circumstances:
At 1808LT, the crew was cleared for takeoff from Sukhumi-Babushara runway 02. During the takeoff run, 26 seconds after it started to roll, at a speed of 195 km/h, the crew sighted a Let L-410M entering the runway. Registered CCCP-67191, the Let L-410 was engaged in a scheduled service (flight SU73G) to Kutaisi with two pilots and nine passengers on board. The captain of the Tupolev decided to abandon the takeoff maneuver and initiated an emergency braking procedure. Spoilers were deployed and revers systems were activated. He elected to turn to the left to reach an exit taxiway. In the same time, the crew of the Let saw the Tupolev coming from their right and increased engine power to move forward. Seven seconds after the crew of the Tupolev rejected takeoff, at a speed of 216 km/h, the right wing of the Tupolev struck the Let that was destroyed upon impact. The Tupolev rolled for about 514 meters then veered off runway to the left and came to rest 48 meters to the left of its centerline. All 82 people on board the TU-134 escaped uninjured while all 11 people on board the Let were killed.
Probable cause:
It was determined that the collision was the consequence of a series of errors made by the crew of the Let L-410 who failed to follow ATC and ground controllers instructions regarding taxiing procedures prior to takeoff, which led them to enter the runway when he was not authorized to do so. A poor management in flights organization at Sukhumi Airport remains a contributing factor as well as few procedures violation on the part of ATC and ground controllers, among others concerning the use of a non-standard phraseology which may create confusion to the crew.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134IK at Severomorsk-Safonovo NAS: 15 killed

Date & Time: Jun 17, 1982
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
CCCP-65687
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Moscow - Severomorsk
MSN:
62400
YOM:
1979
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
10
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
15
Circumstances:
The aircraft departed Moscow-Zhukovsky Airport on a flight to Severomorsk-Safonovo NAS, carrying 16 people. On approach, the crew encountered bad weather conditions and the visibility was poor. On final, the Ground Proximity Warning System (GPWS) alarm sounded in the cockpit, informing the pilot his altitude was too low. The navigator also informed the captain that the aircraft deviated from the approach path to the left by one km but the captain ignored these messages as well as ATC instructions. At an altitude of 206 meters, the left wing struck an electric pole. The aircraft lost height and crashed, bursting into flames. The captain survived and was slightly injured while 15 other occupants were killed.
Probable cause:
The captain failed to follow the approach procedures and ignored ATC instructions as well as GPWS and other crew member warnings. In such conditions, he led the aircraft deviating from the approach path and descending below the minimum safe altitude until impact.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134A in Simferopol

Date & Time: Jun 28, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65871
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Kiev - Simferopol
MSN:
28311
YOM:
1975
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
59
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
11492
Aircraft flight cycles:
8206
Circumstances:
Brakes and tires overheated during a pre-takeoff inappropriate taxiing manoeuvre at Kiev-Borispol Airport. During the takeoff roll at Borispol Airport, at a speed of 135 km/h, the crew was instructed to abandon the takeoff as he did not receive any clearance. The crew interrupted the procedure and was later cleared for a second departure. During this manoeuvre, brakes and tires overheated again. Upon touchdown at Simferopol Airport, a tire located on the right main gear exploded. Debris struck the lower part of the right wing and punctured a fuel tank. Fuel spilled and a fire erupted. The crew was able to stop the plane on the runway and all 65 occupants were evacuated, among them 29 passengers were injured. The aircraft was partially destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
A tire burst on landing after overheating during an abandoned takeoff and taxi procedure at Kiev-Borispol Airport. A poor flight preparation and a lack of crew training were considered as contributing factors.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134B in Sochi

Date & Time: Jan 6, 1981
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65698
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Sukhumi - Sochi
MSN:
63325
YOM:
1980
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
1416
Aircraft flight cycles:
901
Circumstances:
The day prior to the accident, the aircraft was supposed to fly from Riga to Sochi but the flight was diverted to Sukhumi due to poor weather at destination. On the morning of January 6, the crew completed a positioning flight from Sukhumi to Sochi-Adler without any passengers on board. Following a wrong approach configuration, the aircraft landed at an excessive speed and after touchdown, the crew failed to use the brakes properly. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran and came to a halt. All six crew members escaped uninjured while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who failed to follow the approach checklist. The following contributing factors were reported:
- Flaps and undercarriage were deployed too late during the approach procedure,
- Excessive speed on approach and touchdown,
- After landing, the crew failed to use brakes according to published procedures,
- Poor crew coordination.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134 in Warsaw

Date & Time: Jan 23, 1980
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
SP-LGB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Brussels - Berlin - Warsaw
MSN:
8 35 06 03
YOM:
1968
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
0
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
After touchdown on runway 11 at Warsaw-Okecie Airport, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance. It overran and struck a four meters high embankment. Upon impact, the right wing was torn off and the airplane came to rest in flames. There were no casualties while the aircraft was written off. The aircraft was christened 'Władysław Reymont'.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134A near Kurilovka: 94 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1979 at 1335 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65816
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Chelyabinsk - Voronezh - Kichinev
MSN:
4 35 22 10
YOM:
1974
Flight number:
SU7628
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
88
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
94
Aircraft flight hours:
12739
Aircraft flight cycles:
7683
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Voronezh Airport at 1254LT on the last leg of a flight from Chelyabinsk to Kishinev, Moldavia, carrying 88 passengers and a crew of six. At 1317LT, the airplane entered the Kharkiv ARTCC at an altitude of 8,400 meters. The crew requested several times the permission to climb to 9,600 meters but this was denied due to heavy traffic. Eight minutes later, a second Aeroflot Tupolev TU-134AK entered the same ARTCC at an altitude of 5,700 meters. Registered CCCP-65735, it was completing flight SU7880 from Tashkent to Minsk with an intermediate stop in Donetsk. On board were 77 passengers and a crew of seven, among them all staff from the Pakhtakor Tashkent Football Team who should play against the Dynamo Minsk Team in two days. The crew of the second TU-134 was first cleared to climb to 7,200 meters and later to 8,400 meters. The air traffic controller miscalculated the distance and timing between both aircraft. About 90 seconds later, at an altitude at 8,400 meters but on crossing airways, both airplanes collided at an angle of 95° from each other. The right wing of CCCP-65735 struck the cockpit of CCCP-65816. Both aircraft spiralled to the ground, partially disintegrated in the air and eventually crashed in fields located around the villages of Kurilovka, Nikolaevka and Elizavetovka, about 35 km northwest of Dnipropetrovsk. Debris were found on a large area and none of the 178 occupants survived the accident.
Probable cause:
The in-flight collision was the consequence of multiple errors on part of the Air Traffic Controller and his instructor in charge of the Kharkiv Southwest Sector. The following factors were reported:
- Violations of the published procedures,
- Poor assistance and negligence on part of ATC in level assignment,
- Non compliance with requirements and regulations in force on part of ATC,
- Non compliance with standard radio phraseology,
- Lack of coordination,
- Intense traffic,
- Stress situation.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134AK near Kurilovka: 84 killed

Date & Time: Aug 11, 1979 at 1335 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65735
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tashkent - Donetsk - Minsk
MSN:
1 35 14 05
YOM:
1971
Flight number:
SU7880
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
7
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
77
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
84
Aircraft flight hours:
10753
Aircraft flight cycles:
7075
Circumstances:
The airplane departed Donetsk Airport at 1311LT on the last leg of a flight from Tashkent to Minsk. On board were 77 passengers and a crew of seven, among them all staff from the Pakhtakor Tashkent Football Team who should play against the Dynamo Minsk Team in two days. At 1317LT, another TU-134 registered CCCP-65816 entered the Kharkiv ARTCC at an altitude of 8,400 meters. In charge to complete flight SU7628 from Chelyabinsk to Kishinev via Voronezh, the aircraft was carrying 88 passengers and a crew of six. His crew requested several times the permission to climb to 9,600 meters but this was denied due to heavy traffic. Eight minutes later, CCCP-65735 entered the same ARTCC at an altitude of 5,700 meters and his crew was first cleared to climb to 7,200 meters and later to 8,400 meters. The air traffic controller miscalculated the distance and timing between both aircraft. About 90 seconds later, at an altitude at 8,400 meters but on crossing airways, both airplanes collided at an angle of 95° from each other. The right wing of CCCP-65735 struck the cockpit of CCCP-65816. Both aircraft spiralled to the ground, partially disintegrated in the air and eventually crashed in fields located around the villages of Kurilovka, Nikolaevka and Elizavetovka, about 35 km northwest of Dnipropetrovsk. Debris were found on a large area and none of the 178 occupants survived the accident.
Probable cause:
The in-flight collision was the consequence of multiple errors on part of the Air Traffic Controller and his instructor in charge of the Kharkiv Southwest Sector. The following factors were reported:
- Violations of the published procedures,
- Poor assistance and negligence on part of ATC in level assignment,
- Non compliance with requirements and regulations in force on part of ATC,
- Non compliance with standard radio phraseology,
- Lack of coordination,
- Intense traffic,
- Stress situation.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134A in Tyumen

Date & Time: May 31, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65649
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tyumen - Tyumen
MSN:
0 35 10 04
YOM:
1970
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
12295
Aircraft flight cycles:
7789
Circumstances:
The crew was engaged in a local training flight at Tyumen-Roshchino Airport and successively completed four touch-and-goes at a relative high speed. On approach with flaps down at 15-20°, the airplane landed at high speed. Upon touchdown, the right rear tyre located on the left main gear burst. Debris punctured a hydraulic line, causing the landing gear to be partially retracted. A fire erupted in the wheel well and the airplane came to rest on runway. All occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
Four landings at high speed were completed, causing some tyres to be damaged. One of them burst upon touchdown and debris punctured a hydraulic line, causing the left main gear to collapse partially.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-134A in Ufa

Date & Time: May 19, 1979
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
CCCP-65839
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Novosibirsk - Ufa - Chisinau
MSN:
18117
YOM:
1974
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
6
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
83
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Aircraft flight hours:
9994
Aircraft flight cycles:
6113
Circumstances:
The final approach was completed by night with the wheel brakes locked. Upon touchdown, all tyres exploded. The left main gear broke off, causing the left wing to struck the ground. A fuel tank was punctured and the aircraft caught fire. Out of control, it veered off runway to the right and came to rest in flames. All 89 occupants survived, 10 of them, including two crew members, were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by fire.
Probable cause:
Poor approach planning on part of the flying crew who failed to follow the approach checklist and completed the landing procedure with the wheel brakes locked.