Investigation Summary
The emergency began when the aircraft's batteries experienced a thermal runaway while cruising at 10,600 meters (34,800 feet), which cascaded into a complete failure of the 27V DC electrical system. This failure disabled both the main and standby fuel transfer pumps that move fuel from the wing tanks to the engine supply tank. This left the crew with only the 3,300 kg (7,300 lb) of fuel already present in the engine feed tank, providing approximately 30 minutes of flight time before the engines would flame out. The loss of electrical power also rendered the navigation systems, radio, and wing flaps inoperative. The crew spotted the Izhma Airport by chance. The runway had been closed to fixed-wing traffic and was no longer in use, but it remained clear enough for an emergency attempt. The pilots made two approaches to assess the short runway before committing to a landing on the third attempt. Without flaps or slats, the Tu-154M touched down at a high speed of 350 to 380 km/h and overran the runway by approximately 520 feet, coming to rest in a wooded area.
Final Conclusions
The investigation determined the primary cause was a thermal runaway of the aircraft's batteries, which led to a total loss of DC power. A critical contributing factor was the failure to implement service bulletin No. 154-KB 30/03BU/BE, which would have provided four red warning lights for battery disconnection. The absence of these indicators prevented the flight engineer from timely detecting and isolating the failing battery. The crew's ability to locate a closed airfield and land a heavy jet without flaps or navigation aids was praised as an exceptional feat of airmanship. The landing was also made possible by the diligence of airport supervisor Sergey Sotnikov, who maintained the closed runway for years. The aircraft, subsequently named 'Izhma', was repaired on-site and flown out of the short runway six months later. It returned to regular commercial service with Alrosa until September 2018, when it was retired to the Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Aviation Museum.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Systems & Failure Modes
Electrical System
A thermal runaway in the batteries caused a total failure of the 27V DC bus, which in turn disabled critical flight systems.
Fuel Transfer Pumps
Electrically driven pumps that move fuel from the main tanks to the service tanks failed, creating a fuel starvation risk despite having fuel on board.
Flaps and Slats
The high-lift devices were inoperative due to the electrical failure, forcing a high-speed landing.
Interesting Facts
- 01The runway at Izhma was only 4,347 feet long, while a Tu-154M typically requires over 7,200 feet for a standard landing.
- 02The aircraft overran the runway by approximately 520 feet (160 meters).
- 03The aircraft was repaired on-site and successfully took off from the same short runway on March 24, 2011, using only 800 meters of runway.
- 04The airport at Izhma was closed to fixed-wing traffic in 2003 and was no longer marked on aeronautical charts.
- 05Airport supervisor Sergey Sotnikov was credited with keeping the closed runway clear of vegetation for years, which was essential for the successful landing.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Hero of the Russian Federation
Pilots Andrei Lamanov and Yevgeny Novoselov were awarded the title Hero of the Russian Federation for their successful emergency landing.