IL-18 Crash Near Mineralnye Vody After Go-Around in Marginal Weather (CCCP-75757)

Background and Operational Context On December 31, the airport of Mineralnye Vody was reopened to traffic after a three-day closure caused by poor weather across the Caucasus region. The closure had resulted in numerous flight cancellations and left more than 500 passengers stranded at Tbilisi Airport. To address the situation, two IL-18 aircraft were chartered to transport the stranded passengers. ## Boarding and Weight and Balance The boarding process at Tbilisi Airport was described as disorganized and chaotic. Tickets were not checked, and an excessive number of passengers boarded the aircraft. The aircraft had 84 passenger seats, but 26 additional passengers stood or sat on their luggage in the aisles and galley. As a result, the maximum rear centre of gravity was exceeded by 1%. ## Approach and Accident The flight to Mineralnye Vody was uneventful until the approach, when weather conditions remained marginal. Visibility was limited to 2 km, the cloud base was at 120 meters, and light rain and mist were present. On final approach to runway 12, at an altitude of 250 m and heading 117°, the pilot-in-command was unable to locate the runway or the approach lights and initiated a go-around by increasing power on all four engines. The crew turned right to heading 188° but failed to gain height. Shortly later, the aircraft struck obstacles and crashed in flames 3 km southwest of the airfield. The aircraft was destroyed by a post-crash fire. ## Casualties Thirty-two occupants were killed, including two crew members. All 87 other occupants were evacuated.