No fatalities

Hydraulic System Failure Results in Belly Landing and Runway Overrun on Night Flight from Volgograd to Tbilisi (CCCP-87544)

Tbilisi-Shota-Rustaveli (ex Novo Alekseyevka), GeorgiaLanding (descent or approach)

On October 2, 1978, a Yakovlev Yak-40 (registration CCCP-87544) operated by Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines was involved in an aviation accident near Tbilisi-Shota-Rustaveli (ex Novo Alekseyevka), Georgia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of both primary and emergency hydraulic systems in flight after water leaked into a tank due to seal problems, which subsequently froze. 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 2026-06-12Data APIEditorial standards

During a night flight from Volgograd to Tbilisi, both primary and emergency hydraulic systems failed. The aircraft landed on its belly, overran the runway, struck obstacles, and broke into three. All 30 occupants were injured, three seriously.

Incident Overview

On a night flight from Volgograd to Tbilisi, both the primary and emergency hydraulic systems failed. The aircraft was unable to lower the main landing gear; only the nose gear could be extended. The stabilizers and flaps remained in a neutral position. The aircraft subsequently performed a belly landing.

Sequence of Events

The aircraft touched down on its belly at a speed of 250 km/h, with the nose gear contacting the runway 1,264 meters past the threshold. Unable to stop within the remaining distance, the airplane overran the runway at a speed of 165 km/h. During the overrun, the aircraft struck a localizer antenna and a concrete wall before coming to rest in a ravine, broken into three pieces.

Injuries

All 30 occupants sustained injuries, with three of them classified as serious.

Probable Cause

Failure of both primary and emergency hydraulic systems in flight after water leaked into a tank due to seal problems, which subsequently froze.