No fatalities

Runway Overrun During Positioning Flight at Sochi-Adler (CCCP-65698)

Sochi-Adler, RussiaLanding (descent or approach)

On January 6, 1981, a Tupolev TU-134 (registration CCCP-65698) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Sochi-Adler, Russia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew who failed to follow the approach checklist. Contributing factors: flaps and undercarriage deployed too late during approach; excessive speed on approach and touchdown; after landing, crew failed to use… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 2 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

During a positioning flight from Sukhumi to Sochi-Adler, an aircraft landed with an incorrect approach configuration and excessive speed. The crew failed to apply brakes properly, resulting in a runway overrun. All six crew were uninjured but the aircraft was destroyed.

Background

On the day before the accident, the aircraft was scheduled to fly from Riga to Sochi but was diverted to Sukhumi due to poor weather at the destination. On the morning of January 6, the crew operated a positioning flight from Sukhumi to Sochi-Adler without any passengers on board.

Accident Sequence

During the approach, the crew executed a wrong approach configuration. The aircraft landed at an excessive speed. After touchdown, the crew did not use the brakes appropriately. The aircraft was unable to stop within the remaining runway distance and overran the runway, coming to a halt.

Injuries and Damage

All six crew members escaped uninjured. The aircraft sustained damage beyond repair.

Probable Cause and Contributing Factors

According to the official findings, the probable cause was a wrong approach configuration on the part of the flying crew, who failed to follow the approach checklist. Contributing factors included late deployment of flaps and undercarriage, excessive approach and touchdown speed, failure to use brakes according to published procedures, and poor crew coordination.