Investigation Summary
The flight originally departed Krasnoyarsk for Osh but diverted to Bishkek due to fog. After weather reports suggested improvement, the crew departed Bishkek for Osh. During the approach to runway 12, visibility deteriorated significantly. At a height of 38 meters above the threshold, the pilot-in-command (PIC) initiated a go-around by activating TO/GA mode. However, five seconds later, the PIC pushed the control column forward, likely due to somatogravic illusion (the false sensation of pitching up during acceleration). This action disrupted the climb and caused the aircraft to strike the runway violently, shearing off the left main gear and damaging the right engine and hydraulic systems. Although the crew initially intended to return to Bishkek, the critical system failures forced them to attempt an immediate emergency landing back at Osh. With only one engine, no hydraulics, and damaged landing gear, the aircraft touched down long and skidded 529 meters past the end of the runway into rough terrain.
Final Conclusions
The Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) concluded the accident was caused by the crew's failure to follow standard operating procedures during a go-around in actual instrument meteorological conditions. Contributing factors included the PIC's lack of practical experience with go-arounds in low visibility (having only practiced them in simulators), the First Officer's passivity in failing to correct the PIC's erroneous control inputs, and potential crew fatigue from a duty period exceeding 13 hours. The investigation also noted that the airline's manuals did not adequately account for forecasted weather deterioration (TREND forecasts) for short-duration flights.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Crew Experience
Captain
Certified for CAT IIIa approaches.
First Officer
Systems & Failure Modes
Hydraulic Systems
Both hydraulic systems failed following the initial runway strike, significantly degrading flight control and braking capability for the final landing.
TO/GA (Take-off/Go-around)
The crew activated TO/GA mode for the go-around, but manual control inputs overrode the flight profile, leading to the descent.
GPWS
The Ground Proximity Warning System alerted the crew during the botched go-around, but the PIC's corrective action was insufficient.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was a 25-year-old Boeing 737-300 with over 50,000 airframe hours.
- 02The runway strike during the botched go-around caused both hydraulic systems to fail and damaged the right engine.
- 03The final emergency landing was conducted with a runway visual range (RVR) of only 50 meters.
- 04The left engine separated from the wing and the landing gear collapsed during the runway excursion.
- 05Of the 159 occupants, 14 were injured: 4 to 6 sustained serious/moderate injuries requiring hospitalization, while others had minor injuries.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Weather Forecasting Procedures
Recommendations were made to update Kyrgyz aviation regulations to require the consideration of TREND-type weather forecasts for short-haul flights.
Simulator Training Enhancement
The investigation highlighted the need for more realistic simulator training regarding go-arounds in actual instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) for pilots certified for low-visibility approaches.