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13 fatalities

Aircraft Crash at Leningrad-Pulkovo Airport (CCCP-85097)

Leningrad-Pulkovo, RussiaLanding (descent or approach)

On May 23, 1991, a Tupolev TU-154 (registration CCCP-85097) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Leningrad-Pulkovo, Russia during landing or approach. 13 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew, with contributing factors including deviations in crew actions during the approach, lack of crew coordination, inconsistencies in crew actions during an instrument approach leading to significant… 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 short of the runway at Leningrad-Pulkovo Airport in heavy rain after a flawed approach. The accident killed 13 passengers and injured 38 others.

Approach and Impact Details The aircraft departed Sukhumi without incident before beginning its approach to Leningrad-Pulkovo Airport in heavy rain. At a distance of 7 km from the runway, the aircraft was at an altitude of 400 meters and a speed of 287 km/h when the flaps were deployed to 45°. Fifteen seconds later, at a distance of 5,700 meters, the crew received clearance to land. The aircraft then passed below the glide path. With a descent rate of 7 meters per second and a speed of 250 km/h, the aircraft struck the ground 13 meters short of the runway threshold. The impact occurred with a 1° nose-down attitude and a positive acceleration of 4.5 g. The aircraft broke into three parts and came to rest 80 meters to the left of the runway. The accident resulted in 13 passenger fatalities, 38 injuries, and 130 occupants escaping uninjured.

Probable cause

Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew, with contributing factors including deviations in crew actions during the approach, lack of crew coordination, inconsistencies in crew actions during an instrument approach leading to significant vertical deviation and delayed corrective actions, lack of assistance from the approach controller, and the crew's decision to continue the approach instead of initiating a go-around.

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 23 May 1991 Tupolev TU-154 accident near Leningrad-Pulkovo, Russia?

An aircraft crashed short of the runway at Leningrad-Pulkovo Airport in heavy rain after a flawed approach. The accident killed 13 passengers and injured 38 others.

Were there any fatalities in the 23 May 1991 Tupolev TU-154 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 13 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 23 May 1991 involved a Tupolev TU-154, registration CCCP-85097, operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines, at Leningrad-Pulkovo, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

Wrong approach configuration on part of the flying crew, with contributing factors including deviations in crew actions during the approach, lack of crew coordination, inconsistencies in crew actions during an instrument approach leading to significant vertical deviation and delayed corrective actions, lack of…

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