5 fatalities

1989-02-09: Tupolev TU-154 (YR-TPJ) — TAROM - Transporturile Aeriene Române — Bucharest-Otopeni-Henri Coandă, Romania

Bucharest-Otopeni-Henri Coandă, RomaniaTakeoff (climb)

On February 9, 1989, a Tupolev TU-154 (registration YR-TPJ) operated by TAROM - Transporturile Aeriene Române was involved in an aviation accident near Bucharest-Otopeni-Henri Coandă, Romania during takeoff. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The aircraft became uncontrollable during a simulated engine failure maneuver during the initial climb. 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 1781214405Data APIEditorial standards
Aircraft registered YR-TPJ
Aircraft registered YR-TPJ. Photo: G B_NZ / CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A training flight involving five people ended in a fatal crash during the initial climb phase at Bucharest-Otopeni Airport.

What happened

During a local training mission operating out of Bucharest-Otopeni Airport, an aircraft carrying five individuals crashed shortly after departing the runway. The occupants of the flight included one instructor and four student pilots undergoing supervision. As the aircraft was performing its initial climb, it became uncontrollable and impacted the ground.

All five people on board were killed in the accident.

Findings

Preliminary information suggests that the loss of control occurred while the instructor was performing a maneuver to simulate an engine failure. This procedure took place during the early stages of the flight's ascent.

Probable cause

The aircraft became uncontrollable during a simulated engine failure maneuver during the initial climb.