Crash of a McDonnell Douglas MD-83 in Mashhad

Date & Time: Jan 28, 2016 at 1937 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EP-ZAB
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Isfahan – Mashhad
MSN:
49930/1720
YOM:
1990
Flight number:
ZV4010
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
154
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total flying hours:
9224
Captain / Total hours on type:
4341.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
633
Copilot / Total hours on type:
471
Aircraft flight hours:
51446
Aircraft flight cycles:
30255
Circumstances:
Following an uneventful flight from Isfahan, the crew initiated the approach to Mashhad Airport by night and poor weather conditions with low visibility due to snow falls. After touchdown on runway 31R, the crew started the braking procedure and activated the reverse thrust systems. The aircraft skidded then veered off runway to th left, lost its both main undercarriage and came to rest 55 metres to the left of the runway, some 1,311 metres from the runway threshold. All 162 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- Loss of control after touchdown due to an abnormal use by the captain of the reverse thrust systems, which caused the aircraft to slid and to become out of control,
- Weather conditions deteriorated with a sudden drop in temperature and a reduced visibility,
- Limited RVR to 811 metres,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure,
- Overconfidence on part of the captain due to his high experience,
- Poor crew resource management,
- The braking coefficient was low due to an excessive deposit of rubber on the runway surface, combined with a layer of snow that the airport authorities did not consider necessary to clear in due time.
Final Report:

Crash of a Fokker 100 in Zahedan

Date & Time: May 10, 2014 at 1300 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EP-ASZ
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mashhad - Zahedan
MSN:
11421
YOM:
1992
Flight number:
EP853
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
5
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
98
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
On approach to Zahedan Airport, the crew followed the checklist and configured the aircraft for landing when he realized that the left main gear remained stuck in its wheel well. The crew abandoned the landing manoeuvre and initiated a go-around procedure. During an hour, the crew followed a holding circuit to burn fuel and also to try to lower the left main landing gear but without success. Eventually, the crew was cleared to land on runway 35. After touchdown, the aircraft rolled for about 1,500 metres then veered off runway to the left before coming to rest in a sandy area. All 103 occupants evacuated safely and the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154M in Mashhad

Date & Time: Jan 24, 2010 at 0720 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
RA-85787
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Abadan - Machhad
MSN:
93A971
YOM:
1993
Flight number:
TBM6437
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
13
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
157
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
The three engine aircraft departed Abadan for a night flight to Mashhad. Due to poor weather conditions at destination, the crew diverted to Isfahan Airport. The aircraft departed Isfahan Airport at 0535LT bound to Mashhad. While on an ILS approach in thick fog, the aircraft was in a nose high attitude when the base of the empennage struck the runway surface and separated. On impact, the undercarriage were torn off. Out of control, the aircraft slid for few dozen metres, veered off runway and came to rest with both wings partially torn off, bursting into flames. At least 46 occupants were injured while the aircraft was partially destroyed by fire. Vertical visibility was 200 feet at the time of the accident due to fog.
Probable cause:
The following findings were reported:
- The visibility was below minimums,
- The crew continued the approach despite the aircraft attitude was incorrect,
- The crew failed to initiate a go-around procedure.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-62M in Mashhad: 16 killed

Date & Time: Jul 25, 2009 at 1805 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
UP-I6208
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Tehran - Mashhad
MSN:
19 51 5 2 5
YOM:
1989
Flight number:
IRX1525
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
17
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
156
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
16
Captain / Total flying hours:
14200
Captain / Total hours on type:
1500.00
Copilot / Total flying hours:
8294
Copilot / Total hours on type:
1319
Aircraft flight hours:
13573
Aircraft flight cycles:
3987
Circumstances:
At July 24, 2009, Ilyushin aircraft, model IL-62M of DETA Airline with registration, UP-I6208 and flight IRX1525 of Aria Airline flight with 169 passengers from Mehrabad International Airport/ Tehran, and it has landed at 18:05 local time on RWY 13 L in Mashhad International Airport; then it has run off from end of the runway, without considerable reduction in aircraft speed and it collided with wall of the airport and it was stopped after approximately 185 m. The mentioned aircraft has been leased by Aria Airline as ACMI, according to contract No. 002/IL-62M/ACMI. Subsequently, the ground safety unit of the airport has attended in place of occurring accident, by breaking protective fences and barbed wires of the airport, and then they evacuated passengers and extinguished fire outside of aircraft by carrying out necessary actions. 16 people were killed, 11 crew members and five passengers. All other occupants were rescued, among them 30 were injured. Accident site inspection revealed that the aircraft position had coordinates N 36,218º E 59,666º, at a road in the vicinity of the aerodrome, 1km away from the RWY-31R threshold (130º MH or 133, 5º TH) of the Mashhad airport with the azimuth of 125º (true). Power line along the road was destroyed by the right aircraft wing. Wing fuel tanks of the right wing were damaged evidenced by fuel leaking. Main and emergency exits were open. An inflatable slide was dropped down from the port side. No evidences of fire on board and at the accident site were found. First tracks of intensive braking (black tire tracks) were found at the concrete at a distance of 550 m from the departure threshold of RWY31R. The track of the main gear wheels was going along the RWY in its left part, and diverging further to the right beyond the departure threshold. At about 100m away from the threshold at the end portion of the braking way, a net barrier was found (textile aerodrome emergency braking unit).The aircraft ran over the RWY when moving along the right side of the stop way, 300m long. Beyond the end of the RWY landing gear wheels track could be clearly seen passing over a rough partly grassed surface, and crossing a dirt road. At a distance of 100m from the RWY end, where the right gear crossed the road, a destroyed tire tube was found, which presumably belonged to the right gear front wheel. At a distance of 160m from the RWY end smashed approach lights were found, and after that point the gear wheel track started to diverge to the left from the RWY centerline. The front gear wheel track further merged with the left gear wheel track and extended joining the forward airframe track. At a distance of 320 m from the RWY end another line of broken approach lights were found. Airframe structures were found before the approach lights (along the aircraft way). From that point small aircraft structure pieces were found along the whole aircraft path. 40m past the destroyed approach lights line a ditch of 0,5…1m in depth was found (with an underground pipeline) which was crossing this area from the south to the north. The south-eastern part of the aerodrome was fenced with a brick wall of 2,5m high and 0,4m thick with a concrete strip foundation. It went along the RWY there. The aircraft collided with the fence at a distance of 820m from the departure threshold (520m past the stop way end) with a heading of 105 degrees. The fence was destroyed throughout 70m. Debris of the nose part of the airframe, cockpit, passenger seats, aircraft cabin parts were found behind the fence. Earlier aerodrome employees, police and medical services found at the site and evacuated crew bodies, as well as killed and injured passengers. After the collision with the fence the aircraft kept moving for 160 m with a heading of 105 degrees and came to a stop at the road.
Probable cause:
The following findings were identified:
- The crew was not trained &acquainted with flight conditions in the Iran territory with an Iranian instructor pilot and the operation unit of Aria Airline has acted so weak regarding those mentioned subjects.
- The approach speed of aircraft was higher than recommended available airport charts & aircraft weight, however it was controllable if the crew could proceed to land correctively.
- The crew had not done correct procedure according to the aircraft Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) to use related check lists. (Descend-Approach-Landing)
- There was lack of precise coordination between flight crew on their self responsibility during the approach and landing.
- The flight crew did not pay attention to EGPWS warning, and did not take corrective action.
- The crew did not use engine reverser and spoiler systems correctly to reduce aircraft speed during the landing and consequently it caused to loose long Runway distance.
- The flight crew had not good English language proficiency. And they were poor in England language conversation.
- The Capitan of the aircraft as the pilot in command had not sufficient force and efficient management in the cockpit. (lack of Cockpit Resource Management).
- There were unauthorized actions of flight engineer for shifting engine reversers as well as lack of mutual oversight by crew members in checklist accomplishment during approach and landing.
- The crew has had disagreement about “Go around” due to unsuitable landing situations.
- Presence of General Director of airline in the cockpit had adverse psychological effect on crew efficiency behaviors.
- The DETA airline did not use correct procedure to extend engines No; 1-2-4 life time from Ukrainian company (Aerotechservice co.) and the technical manager of ARIA airline did not control and
supervise the matter accordingly.

Main Cause :
Considering those items in factual information and analysis, the main cause of this accident is “weak Cockpit management between the crew” to use correct landing techniques same as releasing Engine trust reversers – Engine shut down in unsuitable time - ….

Contributive Factors :
Some of contributive factors for this accident occurrence are noted as:
- The copilot and the flight engineer had self activity& decision without the (PIC) coordination.
- The cockpit crew was careless and not paying proper attention toward EGPWS warning.
- Psychological adverse effect on cockpit crew because of presence of General Director of Aria airline

Violation & other deficiencies:
The accident investigation team encountered some violations and deficiencies with ICAO Standards and Iran Local Authority regulation (CAO) which are descript as:
- Poor and in-sufficient supervision controlled of operation &technical manger of Aria Airline.
- The DETA airline has not used proper procedure to receive life time extension of engine and has not passed necessary information to Iranian and Kazakhstan Authorities.
- It has not been designed a headset for flight engineer to make more coordination between the crew, by the aircraft design bureau.
- The crew was not familiar with Iranian AIP completely.
- The total on board persons was not according to written load sheet.
Final Report:

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154M in Mashhad: 28 killed

Date & Time: Sep 1, 2006 at 1345 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EP-MCF
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Bandar Abbas - Mashhad
MSN:
88A-788
YOM:
1988
Flight number:
IRB945
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
11
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
137
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
28
Circumstances:
After landing on runway 14L at Mashhad Airport, a nose gear tyre burst. The crew lost control of the airplane that veered off runway and came to rest, bursting into flames. 28 passengers were killed while 54 were seriously injured and 66 escaped unhurt. The aircraft was destroyed.

Crash of an Ilyushin II-76MD in Mashhad

Date & Time: Feb 24, 2002
Type of aircraft:
Registration:
15-2281
Flight Type:
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Mashhad - Tehran
MSN:
0073475236
YOM:
1987
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
222
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
0
Circumstances:
Few minutes after takeoff from Mashhad Airport, while flying at FL230 about 80 km from his departure point, the crew encountered technical problems when the autopilot system disengaged and the engine n°4 caught fire. The crew elected to extinguish the fire but without success and was cleared to return to Mashhad for an emergency landing. The fire spread to the right wing and the engine n°4 detached. Nevertheless, the crew was able to land safely at Mashhad Airport 24 minutes later and stopped the airplane on the runway. All 230 occupants escaped uninjured while the aircraft was partially destroyed after the right wing broke off and fell on the ground.
Probable cause:
Fire on engine n°4 for unknown reasons.

Crash of a Lockheed C-130HF Hercules near Mashhad: 88 killed

Date & Time: Mar 13, 1997 at 1806 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Type:
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Dezful - Mashhad
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
80
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
88
Circumstances:
The aircraft was completing a flight from Dezful to Mashhad, carrying 80 passengers and eigh crew members, most of them soldiers, officers and family members. While descending to Mashhad Airport, the crew informed ATC about the failure of an engine. Shortly later, the aircraft struck the slope of a mountain located in the Mashhad-Neyshabur Mountain Range. The wreckage was found about 24 km west of the airport. All 88 occupants were killed.

Crash of a Tupolev TU-154M near Tehran: 131 killed

Date & Time: Feb 8, 1993 at 1416 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EP-ITD
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Tehran - Mashhad
MSN:
91A903
YOM:
1991
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
12
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
119
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
131
Circumstances:
The aircraft just departed runway 29R at Tehran-Mehrabad Airport and and continued to climb when it collided with an Iranian Air Force Su-24MK fighter that was preparing to land on runway 29L. Both aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed on a military depot located 15 km from the airport. All 131 occupants of the TU-154 and both pilots on board the fighter were killed.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the collision was the consequence of a poor coordination between civil and military ATC.

Crash of a Boeing 727-86 near Tehran: 128 killed

Date & Time: Jan 21, 1980 at 1911 LT
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Registration:
EP-IRD
Survivors:
No
Site:
Schedule:
Mashhad - Tehran
MSN:
19817/537
YOM:
1968
Flight number:
IR291
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
8
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
120
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
128
Circumstances:
On the day of the accident, Iranian air traffic controllers went on strike, which led to hundreds of domestic flights being cancelled. At 1600LT the strike was interrupted and flights resumed. At 1740LT, the airplane departed Mashad Airport on schedule service IR291 to Tehran-Mehrabad Airport with 120 passengers and a crew of eight on board. At 1852LT, ATC based at Tehran-Mehrabad Airport cleared the crew for a direct approach to runway 29. At 1905LT, the dispatcher instructed the crew to take a 360° heading to reach the non-directional beacon of Varamin. On approach, the copilot informed the captain that the VORTAC was giving a wrong radial course but the captain failed to respond to this message. At 1911LT, while descending in limited visibility due to night, snow falls and foggy conditions, the airplane struck the slope of a mountain located in the Alborz Mountain Range. The wreckage was found few hours later in a snow covered terrain about 29 km north of Tehran Airport. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and none of the 128 occupants survived the crash.
Probable cause:
It is believed that the accident was the consequence of a controlled flight into terrain, favored by an inoperable instrument landing system (ILS) of runway 29, when the ground radar was inoperative. The accident occurred just three hours after the Iranian air traffic controllers had resumed work after a strike period till 1600LT. The lack of visibility due to night and poor weather conditions remains a contributing factor.

Crash of a Lisunov LI-2 in Mashhad: 24 killed

Date & Time: Dec 4, 1946
Type of aircraft:
Operator:
Flight Phase:
Survivors:
No
Schedule:
Mashhad – Tehran
Country:
Region:
Crew on board:
3
Crew fatalities:
Pax on board:
21
Pax fatalities:
Other fatalities:
Total fatalities:
24
Circumstances:
Crashed in unknown circumstances shortly after takeoff from Mashhad Airport, killing all 24 occupants.