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20 fatalities

Night Approach Accident at Surgut Airport (CCCP-65675)

Surgut, RussiaLanding (descent or approach)

On February 27, 1988, a Tupolev TU-134 (registration CCCP-65675) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Surgut, Russia during landing or approach. 20 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew adopted an incorrect approach configuration and continued the approach after passing the decision height without establishing visual contact with the runway lights. 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)Source recordUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft crashed into a snowy field 714 m past the runway threshold at Surgut Airport after the crew continued a night approach without visual contact with the runway lights, killing 20 people.

Flight and Approach Details The aircraft departed Kuybyshev and began a night descent to Surgut Airport under marginal weather conditions that reduced visibility. During the approach, air traffic control instructed the pilot to adjust the flight path and follow the glide path after the aircraft drifted to the left. Investigators believe the captain became distracted at this point. ## Loss of Control and Impact After passing the decision height, the captain continued the approach without establishing visual contact with the runway lights and without initiating a go-around. At an altitude of 38 meters and a speed of 286 km/h, the aircraft passed 50 meters to the left of the runway threshold. The captain decided to continue the approach. One second after ATC instructed a go-around, the aircraft struck the ground in a snowy field approximately 714 meters beyond the runway threshold and 113 meters to the left of the runway. ## Crash and Casualties The impact produced a positive acceleration of 4.8 g. The aircraft lost its right wing, came to rest upside down, and caught fire. The accident resulted in 20 fatalities, including the copilot, and 31 injuries.

Probable cause

The crew adopted an incorrect approach configuration and continued the approach after passing the decision height without establishing visual contact with the runway lights. Contributing factors included captain distraction, failure to initiate a go-around, inoperative approach lights, reduced visibility from night and marginal weather, poor flight preparation, poor approach planning, and inaccurate weather and visibility information provided to the crew.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 27 Feb 1988 Tupolev TU-134 accident near Surgut, Russia?

An aircraft crashed into a snowy field 714 m past the runway threshold at Surgut Airport after the crew continued a night approach without visual contact with the runway lights, killing 20 people.

Were there any fatalities in the 27 Feb 1988 Tupolev TU-134 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 20 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 27 Feb 1988 involved a Tupolev TU-134, registration CCCP-65675, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Surgut, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The crew adopted an incorrect approach configuration and continued the approach after passing the decision height without establishing visual contact with the runway lights. Contributing factors included captain distraction, failure to initiate a go-around, inoperative approach lights, reduced visibility from night…

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