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61 fatalities

Aircraft Crash in Wenzhou Due to Elevator Control System Failure (B-2622)

Wenzhou, ChinaLanding (descent or approach)

On February 24, 1999, a Tupolev TU-154 (registration B-2622) operated by China Southwest Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Wenzhou, China during landing or approach. 61 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: A self-locking nut, other than a castle nut with cotter pin as specified, had been installed at the bolt for connection between the pull rod and bellcrank in the elevator control system. This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 1 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
Aircraft registered B-2622
Aircraft registered B-2622. Photo: Windmemories / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An aircraft crashed in an open field near Wenzhou Airport after losing pitch control during descent. All 61 occupants were killed, and several farmers were injured by debris.

Incident Overview and Flight Progression The aircraft completed an uneventful flight from Chengdu and was cleared to descend to Wenzhou Airport. During the descent, the crew encountered technical difficulties at 9,000 metres, reporting that the control column was positioned too far forward. At 1629 local time, the crew received clearance to descend from 1,200 metres to 700 metres. Shortly after, the aircraft entered a nose-down attitude. The crew selected the first stage of flaps, which triggered an angle-of-attack (AOA) alarm in the cockpit. The aircraft subsequently entered an uncontrolled descent and crashed into an open field. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, resulting in the deaths of all 61 occupants on board. Additionally, several farmers were injured by debris from the crash site.

Probable cause

A self-locking nut, other than a castle nut with cotter pin as specified, had been installed at the bolt for connection between the pull rod and bellcrank in the elevator control system. The nut screwed off, resulting in bolt loss, which led to the loss of pitch control.
Maintenance error

Related events

Same operator

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 24 Feb 1999 Tupolev TU-154 accident near Wenzhou, China?

An aircraft crashed in an open field near Wenzhou Airport after losing pitch control during descent. All 61 occupants were killed, and several farmers were injured by debris.

Were there any fatalities in the 24 Feb 1999 Tupolev TU-154 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 61 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 24 Feb 1999 involved a Tupolev TU-154, registration B-2622, operated by China Southwest Airlines, at Wenzhou, China.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

A self-locking nut, other than a castle nut with cotter pin as specified, had been installed at the bolt for connection between the pull rod and bellcrank in the elevator control system. The nut screwed off, resulting in bolt loss, which led to the loss of pitch control.

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