What happened
On January 4, 2005, a Tupolev Tu-154M, registration RA85794, operating a Yakutian Airlines charter flight from Moscow Vnukovo, arrived at Kittilä Airport. After receiving clearance from Rovaniemi ACC to descend and exit controlled airspace, the crew contacted Kittilä airport information. However, the crew was unaware that the service provided at Kittilä was an Aerodrome Flight Information Service (AFIS).
During the descent, the aircraft began its approach at an altitude of 100 meters (3,050 feet) while still 11.5 NM from the runway, which was approximately one-third of the standard distance for initiating a descent. The crew did not follow the prescribed ILS approach procedure or the required glidepath. Instead, the aircraft utilized a much steeper descent angle than the published 3.4 degrees. During the final approach, the engines were at idle, with RPM at approximately 30%, significantly below the required minimums for that phase of flight.
As the aircraft touched down, the nose was in an unusual upward attitude, causing the tail section to strike the ground first. The impact caused significant damage to the aircraft's fuselage, though no injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.
The investigation
The investigation established that the crew was unfamiliar with the operational principles of AFIS and the specific airspace structures in place at Kittilä at the time. While the crew had visited Kittilä the previous week when full air traffic control services were active, they were unprepared for the transition to AFIS.
Investigators found that the Jeppesen route manual used by the crew contained incomplete and erroneous descriptions of the AFIS procedures used in Finland. Furthermore, the investigation noted that the crew's English language proficiency was insufficient for effective communication, leading to non-standard phraseology during contact with air traffic services. The investigation also highlighted that the pilot in command made the decision to proceed with a direct approach and land despite the safety conditions not being met.
Findings
- Lack of situational awareness regarding AFIS: The crew did not realize they were operating in an AFIS environment and were unaware of the specific local procedures.
- Improper approach profile: The descent was initiated too late, and the pilot in command elected for a direct approach at an altitude three times higher than required.
- Inadequate information dissemination: The procedures for AFIS in Finland were primarily distributed through national channels, making it difficult for international operators to access critical information.
- Crew resource management failures: The pilot in command did not adequately consider the observations made by the first officer and flight engineer regarding abnormal flight parameters.
Safety action
- The investigation recommended that the Ministry of Transport and Communications ensure that air traffic service users are fully aware of the specific type of service provided, or that the service meets international standards.
- It was recommended that the Russian aviation authority review the airline's operating procedures and crew training to ensure compliance with international safety standards.
- A recommendation was made for the Finnish authorities to formally notify ICAO of any deviations from standard Annexes.