Ilyushin Il-76TD Low Approach Incident at Trondheim Værnes (RA 76750)

Overview and Context On 4 February 2000, an Ilyushin Il-76TD with registration RA 76750 was operating a chartered scheduled cargo flight from Moscow Sheremetyevo (UUEE) to Trondheim Værnes (ENVA). The aircraft, manufactured in 1981 and powered by four Soloviev D-30KP engines, was on final approach to Runway 27 when it struck the ILS localizer antenna installation for Runway 09. The incident was classified as a serious aircraft incident. No injuries were reported, and there was no damage to the aircraft itself. ## Approach and Collision The flight crew, consisting of a 59-year-old commander and a 26-year-old co-pilot, was on approach under IFR conditions in darkness. Weather included wind from 250° at 35 kt gusting 40 kt, visibility greater than 10 km in showers of rain and snow, and a QNH of 993 hPa. The runway was sanded with friction coefficients of 46, 36, and 42. The aircraft was established on the ILS at 0350Z and cleared to land. The tower controller observed the aircraft lower than the normal glide path when the landing lights became visible. At 03:55:00Z, the aircraft landed, and as it passed over the runway end, the landing gear collided with the localizer antenna. ## Damage and Investigation Findings The collision damaged 8 of the 12 elements of the ILS LLZ-09 antenna array, with 3 totally destroyed. Antenna masts were broken, and cables and connectors were damaged. The estimated repair cost was NOK 744,000. The Norwegian CAA confirmed that all ground navigation aids for Runway 27 were operating normally during the approach. The flight data report indicated the aircraft was below the desired glide path from approximately 1,500 ft. The crew reported a loss of ILS glide slope signals 7–8 km from the runway, which the investigation attributed to a probable airborne equipment failure. The PAPI lights were operational but not utilized by the crew. No NOTAMs indicated a displaced threshold or reduced runway length.