On September 23, 2001, a Yakovlev Yak-40 (registration RA-87481) operated by Khamchatsky Air Enterprise was involved in an aviation accident near Tigil, Russia during landing or approach. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The nose landing gear collapsed following a series of hard impacts and bounces during the landing phase. 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.
An aircraft experienced a hard landing and subsequent nose gear failure during touchdown, resulting in significant airframe damage but no injuries.
What happened
During the landing phase of the flight, the aircraft experienced an unusually heavy touchdown characterized by multiple bounces on the runway. Following these impacts, the nose landing gear failed and collapsed. This structural failure caused the aircraft to slide for several dozen meters along the surface before the movement ceased.
Findings
The aircraft sustained damage that rendered it a total loss.
All 21 occupants successfully evacuated the aircraft without sustaining any injuries.
The primary factor in the incident was the collapse of the nose gear following a series of hard impacts during the landing sequence.
Probable cause
The nose landing gear collapsed following a series of hard impacts and bounces during the landing phase.