Incident Overview
A cargo aircraft operating a flight from Yakutsk to Batagay was completing a routine landing when the right main landing gear failed shortly after touchdown. The aircraft, carrying a crew of six and two passengers along with a load of pipes totaling 11,350 kg, had experienced an uneventful flight and approach. Landing conditions were reported as good.
Sequence of Events
According to the crew and eyewitnesses, the aircraft touched down smoothly approximately 74 meters past the runway threshold at a speed of 250 km/h. After traveling 105 meters, a loud sound was heard from the right side of the aircraft. While decelerating, the aircraft began to deviate to the right, and at a speed of 210 km/h, engine number 4 struck the ground. The airplane then veered off the runway to the right, struck an earth mound, and subsequently hit trees. It pivoted and came to rest in flames 710 meters from the initial impact point and 30 meters to the right of the runway.
Occupant Safety and Aircraft Damage
All eight occupants evacuated the aircraft safely. However, the aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the right main landing gear leg broke shortly after touchdown, probably due to fatigue fracture. Investigators were unable to accurately define the landing parameters because the aircraft was not equipped with the latest generation of flight data recorder systems. The failure of the right main gear could be explained by prolonged operation under very low temperatures with a large number of landings completed at a total weight near the limit of tolerances. Additionally, the deployment of flaps at 25° upon landing resulted in a speed increase of approximately 20 km/h compared to a landing configuration with flaps extended at 35°, which could also be considered a contributing factor.