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

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.