5 fatalities

1996-10-26: Yakovlev Yak-40 (RA-88257) — TyumenAviaTrans — Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia

Khanty-Mansiysk, RussiaLanding (descent or approach)

On October 26, 1996, a Yakovlev Yak-40 (registration RA-88257) operated by TyumenAviaTrans was involved in an aviation accident near Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia during landing or approach. 5 people were killed. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The crew did not have sufficient information about the deterioration of the weather conditions at destination; the crew decided to continue the approach in a visibility that was below minimums; the power of the ground light system located at the helipad was… This summary draws on records from the Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A); 4 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

Sourcesthe Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives (B3A)Primary reportUpdated 1781206614Data APIEditorial standards

An aircraft on approach to Khanty-Mansiysk Airport at night in poor weather descended below MDA and landed on a helipad left of the runway, striking three parked helicopters. Both pilots, a third crew member, and two passengers were killed; all aircraft destroyed.

Accident Sequence

An aircraft operating an uneventful flight from Tyumen was on final approach to Khanty-Mansiysk Airport at night. Weather conditions were poor due to snowfall, with visibility limited to 5,300 meters and a cloud base at 400 meters. During the approach, the aircraft descended below the minimum descent altitude (MDA) and landed at a speed of 190 km/h on a helipad located 159 meters to the left of the runway and 950 meters from the runway threshold. The aircraft subsequently collided with three parked helicopters and crashed.

Occupants and Damage

Both pilots, a third crew member, and two passengers were killed. The aircraft and the three helicopters, registered RA-22313, RA-25144, and RA-25939, were destroyed.

Investigation Findings

The investigation reported the following findings:

  • The crew did not have sufficient information about the deterioration of the weather conditions at destination.
  • The crew decided to continue the approach in visibility that was below minimums.
  • The power of the ground light system located at the helipad was higher than the runway light system, which, in conditions of limited visibility, caused a wrong perception by the crew.

Probable cause

The crew did not have sufficient information about the deterioration of the weather conditions at destination; the crew decided to continue the approach in a visibility that was below minimums; the power of the ground light system located at the helipad was higher than the runway light system, in conditions of limited visibility, which caused a wrong perception of the crew.