Kiev-Zhuliany Airport Aircraft Accident in Limited Visibility (CCCP-46722)

Accident Overview After an uneventful flight from Chernivtsi, the crew began a descent to Kiev-Zhuliany Airport in limited visibility caused by fog and snow. During the final approach, the aircraft descended below the glideslope at a distance of 2,500 metres from the runway threshold. The crew continued the approach and passed below the decision height without visual contact with the runway. The aircraft struck the concrete base of the inner marker, located 1,265 metres short of the runway, rolled for 115 metres, and crashed onto a railway embankment. Seven occupants were seriously injured, and 48 others were killed. At the time of the accident, horizontal visibility was 600 metres and vertical visibility was 50 metres. ## Probable Cause The official investigation attributed the accident to a wrong approach configuration by the flying crew, who descended below the decision height without visual contact with the runway in limited visibility until ground contact. Deficiencies and inadequacies by air traffic control at Kiev-Zhuliany Airport were considered contributing factors because the information transmitted to the crew did not reflect the truth.