What happened
The aircraft was on final approach to runway 19 at Vnukovo Airport, configured for landing with flaps at 37°, slats at 23°, and the landing gear extended. The pilot in command managed the descent using director mode with the automatic throttle disabled. The aircraft crossed the runway threshold at an altitude of approximately 15 meters with an airspeed of 260 km/h.
Upon touchdown, roughly 900 to 1000 meters from the threshold, the crew attempted to use maximum reverse thrust. However, the thrust reverser valves failed to actuate. Instead, moving the levers to the maximum reverse position caused both engines to increase forward thrust to approximately 90% Nvd. This surge in forward power, combined with the failure of the spoilers and air brakes to activate, prevented the aircraft from decelerating.
As the aircraft traveled down the runway, the crew attempted to use the thrust reversers a second time, but the deployment failed again, resulting in further forward thrust. The aircraft's speed remained high, staying above 215 km/h as it passed the runway exit threshold. Approximately 32 seconds after the initial landing, the aircraft overran the runway and struck the slope of a ravine at a ground speed of about 190 km/h. The accident resulted in four fatalities among the crew and four serious injuries to the flight attendants, with one survivor later succumbing to their injuries.
Findings
- The thrust reverser valves failed to actuate during both attempts by the crew.
- Moving the thrust levers to the reverse position inadvertently increased forward thrust to nearly 90% Nvd.
- The automatic air brakes and spoilers failed to activate, and no manual activation was attempted by the crew.
- Inefficient braking occurred because hydraulic pressure was only applied to the left landing gear after strut compression, while the right gear remained uncompressed.
- The aircraft's speed increased during the landing roll due to the unintended forward thrust, leading to the runway excursion.