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Aircraft Crash on Final Approach to Orenburg (CCCP-85103)

Orenburg, RussiaLanding (descent or approach)

On March 1, 1980, a Tupolev TU-154 (registration CCCP-85103) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Orenburg, Russia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The official findings attributed the accident to a wrong approach configuration by the crew, who failed to follow the approach checklist and published procedures. 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 reportUpdated 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

A three-engine aircraft crashed on final approach to Orenburg after descending below the glide path. The crew failed to execute a go-around, leading to a hard landing that broke the aircraft in two, injuring three people.

Incident Overview and Impact During final approach to Orenburg, a three-engine aircraft descended below the established glide path. The flight crew did not initiate a go-around maneuver. The aircraft struck the ground 68 meters short of the runway threshold with a positive aerodynamic force of 3 g. It subsequently bounced and made a second touchdown 635 meters further down the runway. The positive aerodynamic force during the second impact was 3.9 g, which caused the aircraft to break in two. The aircraft then went out of control and eventually came to rest. Two crew members and one passenger were injured in the incident.

Probable cause

The official findings attributed the accident to a wrong approach configuration by the crew, who failed to follow the approach checklist and published procedures. A series of errors and omissions by the flying crew caused the aircraft to descend below the glideslope. Despite several alarms sounding, the captain failed to attempt a go-around maneuver. The inappropriate use of approach charts, stabilizers set at -5.5°, flaps at 45°, and procedural violations caused the aircraft to follow an incorrect approach path. Additionally, the air traffic controller in charge of approaches cleared the crew to land instead of instructing them to initiate a go-around.

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