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39 fatalities

Boeing 747-412F TC-MCL Accident at Bishkek Manas Airport

Bishkek-Manas, KyrgyzstanLanding (descent or approach)

On January 16, 2017, a Boeing 747-400 (registration TC-MCL) operated by ACT Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Bishkek-Manas, Kyrgyzstan during landing or approach. 39 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The accident was caused by the crew's loss of control over the aircraft's position relative to the glideslope during an automatic night approach in CAT II weather conditions, resulting in a delayed go-around and a controlled flight into terrain approximately… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary report: the Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK)Updated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered TC-MCL
Aircraft registered TC-MCL. Photo: bonsai738 / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

On 16 January 2017, a Boeing 747-412F (TC-MCL) on a cargo flight from Hong Kong to Istanbul overshot Bishkek Manas Airport during a night ILS approach in freezing fog, impacting terrain beyond the runway.

Flight Overview and Approach Sequence On 16 January 2017, the crew of a Boeing 747-412F, registration TC-MCL, was operating THY6491, a cargo flight from Hong Kong to Istanbul via Bishkek Manas Airport. The aircraft carried 85,618 kg of commercial cargo, with Manas serving as a transit stop for crew change and refueling. The flight departed Hong Kong at 19:12 on 5 January 2017, delayed by two hours and two minutes. Systems operated normally during takeoff, climb, and cruise. At 00:41 on 16 January 2017, the aircraft entered the Bishkek ATC Area Control Center at flight level 10,400 m. The crew requested descents, reaching FL 220 by 00:51. Weather reports for Manas indicated deteriorating conditions, including freezing fog and reduced visibility. At 01:06, the crew was cleared for an ILS approach to Runway 26. ## Accident and Impact During the approach, the aircraft reached the runway threshold at a height significantly above the planned profile. It continued descending, flew over the entire length of Runway 26, and touched down approximately 900 m beyond the far end of the runway. The aircraft then impacted a concrete aerodrome barrier and buildings in a nearby settlement, disintegrating and causing a fuel spillage and post-crash fire. At 01:17 UTC, the tower controller requested the aircraft's position, but the crew did not respond.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the crew's loss of control over the aircraft's position relative to the glideslope during an automatic night approach in CAT II weather conditions, resulting in a delayed go-around and a controlled flight into terrain approximately 930 m beyond the active runway.
Controlled flight into terrain

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 16 Jan 2017 Boeing 747-400 accident near Bishkek-Manas, Kyrgyzstan?

On 16 January 2017, a Boeing 747-412F (TC-MCL) on a cargo flight from Hong Kong to Istanbul overshot Bishkek Manas Airport during a night ILS approach in freezing fog, impacting terrain beyond the runway.

Were there any fatalities in the 16 Jan 2017 Boeing 747-400 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 39 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 16 Jan 2017 involved a Boeing 747-400, registration TC-MCL, operated by ACT Airlines, at Bishkek-Manas, Kyrgyzstan.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the crew's loss of control over the aircraft's position relative to the glideslope during an automatic night approach in CAT II weather conditions, resulting in a delayed go-around and a controlled flight into terrain approximately 930 m beyond the active runway.

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