Cargo aircraft structural failure during landing at Minsk-Loshitsa

No fatalities • Minsk-Loshitsa (Minsk-1), Belarus • Landing (descent or approach)

A cargo flight traveling from Riga to Minsk-Loshitsa experienced a high-speed impact and subsequent bounces on landing, resulting in heavy structural damage.

What happened

During a cargo operation originating in Riga and destined for Minsk-Loshitsa (Minsk-1), the aircraft approached the runway with an excessive rate of descent and airspeed. The flight was characterized by an improper center of gravity, which was positioned too far aft, outside of the permitted operational limits.

As the aircraft reached the final approach phase, it maintained a trajectory that was both too high and too fast. Despite these conditions, the captain did not execute a go-around procedure. The landing resulted in a significant impact where all three wheels contacted the runway simultaneously, generating a positive acceleration of 5.1 g at a speed of 250 km/h. Following this initial contact, the aircraft bounced across the runway surface three times. The intensity of the impact and the subsequent bounces caused irreparable structural damage to the airframe. There were no injuries reported among the 5 crew members on board.

Findings

Investigations into the incident identified that the approach was not configured correctly for a safe landing. Furthermore, the accident was attributed to inadequate flight preparation and a lack of proper supervision during the mission planning stages.

Probable cause

The accident resulted from an incorrect approach configuration compounded by insufficient flight oversight and preparation.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1983-04-12 Antonov AN-26 accident near Minsk-Loshitsa (Minsk-1), Belarus?

A cargo flight traveling from Riga to Minsk-Loshitsa experienced a high-speed impact and subsequent bounces on landing, resulting in heavy structural damage.

Were there any fatalities in the 1983-04-12 Antonov AN-26 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1983-04-12 involved a Antonov AN-26, registration CCCP-26686, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Minsk-Loshitsa (Minsk-1), Belarus.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident resulted from an incorrect approach configuration compounded by insufficient flight oversight and preparation.

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