On August 29, 1993, an Antonov AN-26 (registration RA-26549) operated by Magnitogorsk Avia was involved in an aviation accident near Donetsk, Ukraine during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Poor approach planning and landing configuration on the part of the crew. The aircraft was not properly aligned and its rate of descent was excessive during the last segment. This led the aircraft to land with a positive acceleration of 5.8 g. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A).
A cargo flight from Khmelnytskyi to Samara via Donetsk crash-landed 80 meters left of the runway, collided with a building, and was destroyed. All five occupants were seriously injured.
Accident
A cargo service operating from Khmelnytskyi to Samara with an intermediate stop in Donetsk was completing its approach when the accident occurred. The approach was conducted at night with limited visibility due to thunderstorm activity and heavy rain. During the final approach, the crew failed to realize the aircraft was not properly aligned with the runway. Despite this, they continued the approach. The aircraft landed hard approximately 80 meters to the left of the runway. After touchdown, the aircraft became uncontrollable, rolling for a few dozen meters before colliding with a building. The impact destroyed the aircraft, and all five occupants sustained serious injuries.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the probable cause was poor approach planning and landing configuration on the part of the crew. The aircraft was not properly aligned, and its rate of descent was excessive during the last segment of the approach. This led to the aircraft landing with a positive acceleration of 5.8 g.