Investigation Summary
The approach to Berdiansk was conducted during a severe thunderstorm. Weather observers had recommended a storm warning, but the airport manager, claiming to be busy, failed to pass this information through the proper chain of command. Consequently, the crew received outdated or inaccurate visibility reports. As the aircraft neared the runway, visibility dropped to 500 meters, well below the required minimums, yet the crew continued the approach. The Yak-40 touched down approximately 1,500 meters (5,000 feet) down the 2,500-meter runway at an excessive speed. Due to the heavy rain, the aircraft began hydroplaning, rendering the brakes ineffective. In a moment of indecision, the pilot attempted to initiate a go-around with less than 300 meters of runway left, but quickly aborted the attempt as the aircraft reached the end of the paved surface. The plane crashed into a grove of trees and broke apart.
Final Conclusions
The investigation concluded that the primary cause was the crew's decision to land at Berdiansk Airport despite weather conditions being below established minimums. Contributing factors included poor human resource management at the control tower and weather station, which resulted in the crew not receiving critical storm warnings, and the pilot's erroneous decision to attempt a go-around after the aircraft had already failed to decelerate on the runway.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Braking System
The aircraft's braking effectiveness was negated by hydroplaning on the water-covered runway.
Weather Reporting Service
The failure of the airport manager to relay storm warnings prevented the crew from having an accurate assessment of the landing hazards.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft touched down 1,500 meters down the 2,500-meter runway, leaving only 1,000 meters for deceleration.
- 02The pilot did not attempt a go-around until less than 300 meters of runway remained.
- 03Visibility at the time of the accident was reported as 500 meters, which was below landing minimums.
- 04The aircraft was a Yakovlev Yak-40 (registration CCCP-87826) manufactured at the Saratov factory in November 1972 and delivered to Aeroflot's Ukrainian division on 17 November 1972.
- 05Five passengers died at the scene, while one passenger and two flight attendants died later from injuries.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Operational Discipline
The investigation highlighted the necessity of adhering to weather minimums and the critical nature of timely weather data dissemination by airport management.