Boeing 747 Crash Near Manas Airport

39 fatalities • в р-не аэропорта Манас, г. Бишкек, Кыргызская Республика

A Boeing 747-412F operated by ACT Airlines crashed during an approach to Manas Airport, resulting in 39 fatalities. The aircraft, registration TC-MCL, was performing a cargo flight from Hong Kong with a scheduled stop in Bishkek.

On January 16, 2017, a Boeing 747-412F, registration TC-MCL, was operating flight THY6491 from Chek Lap Kok Airport, Hong Kong, to Ataturk Airport, Istanbul, via Manas Airport, Bishkek. The aircraft was carrying 85,618 kg of commercial cargo. The crew, consisting of a captain, first officer, flight engineer, and aviation technician, had previously rested in Hong Kong from January 12 to January 15.

During the approach to Manas Airport, the crew received several weather updates indicating deteriorating conditions. At 00:59, reports indicated runway visibility between 300 and 400 meters with a vertical visibility of 130 feet. By 01:10, the controller reported visibility of 50 meters with supercooled fog and a vertical visibility of 160 feet. Despite these conditions, the crew indicated they would continue the approach.

The aircraft was cleared to descend to FL 60 using the TOKPA 1 ILS approach for runway 26. The flight ended in a controlled flight into terrain (CFIT) approximately 930 meters beyond the runway exit. There were 39 fatalities and no survivors.

Probable cause

The accident was caused by the crew's failure to monitor the aircraft's position relative to the glide path during an automated night approach in ICAO CAT II weather conditions. This led to a failure to abort the approach despite significant deviations from the established procedure. Contributing factors included insufficient pre-flight preparation for the specific approach, failure to take corrective altitude measures, and the crew's failure to monitor navigation points. Additionally, increased psychological stress and a lack of air traffic controller monitoring of significant deviations contributed to the event.

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Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 2017-01-16 BOEING 747 accident near в р-не аэропорта Манас, г. Бишкек, Кыргызская Республика?

Were there any fatalities in the 2017-01-16 BOEING 747 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 39 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 2017-01-16 involved a BOEING 747, registration TC-MCL, operated by Авиакомпания «ACT Airlines» (Турция), at в р-не аэропорта Манас, г. Бишкек, Кыргызская Республика.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The accident was caused by the crew's failure to monitor the aircraft's position relative to the glide path during an automated night approach in ICAO CAT II weather conditions. This led to a failure to abort the approach despite significant deviations from the established procedure. Contributing factors included…

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