Alrosa Flight 514
 RA-85684, the aircraft involved | |
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 7 September 2010 |
| Summary | In-flight loss of electrical system |
| Site | Izhma Airport 65°01′54″N 53°58′12″E / 65.03167°N 53.97000°E |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Tupolev Tu-154M |
| Registration | RA-85684 |
| Flight origin | Polyarny Airport, Udachny |
| Destination | Domodedovo International Airport, Moscow |
| Passengers | 72 |
| Crew | 9 |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Survivors | 81 |
Alrosa Mirny Air Enterprise Flight 514 was a domestic scheduled passenger flight from Udachny, Russia, to Moscow. On 7 September 2010, it was operated by Tupolev Tu-154M RA-85684. En route, the aircraft suffered a complete electrical failure, leading to a loss of navigational systems. The electrically operated fuel pumps were also affected, meaning that the aircraft was unable to reach its intended destination. An emergency landing was carried out at the closed Izhma Airport. The aircraft overran the disused runway on landing and was damaged.[1] All nine crew and 72 passengers escaped unharmed.
Aircraft
The aircraft involved was Tupolev Tu-154M RA-85684.[2]
Accident
Flight 514 was over Usinsk,[1][3] at an altitude of 10,600 m (FL 370) when the first signs of a problem was noticed at about 06:59 local time (02:59 UTC). Later, a complete loss of electrical systems occurred. Amongst the effects of the loss were the loss of navigational systems and the loss of electric fuel pumps,[1][2] leaving the aircraft with just 3,300 kilograms (7,300 lb) of useable fuel,[3] enough for just 30 minutes flight.[4] The loss of the electrically driven pumps prevented transfer of fuel from the wing tanks to the main tank in the fuselage.[5] At about 07:47, the emergency authorities at Izhma were informed that the aircraft may be making an emergency landing at the airport there. Izhma Airport is a former airfield that is now used only for helicopters,[2] the 1,325 metres (4,347 ft) long runway is closed and abandoned.[2][5] The airfield having closed to aircraft in 2003.[4]
The passengers were moved to the front of the aircraft. The electrical failure also caused a loss of the radio system, flaps and slats.[3] Two attempts to land were aborted. On the third attempt,[5] a successful emergency landing was made at Izhma at 07:55 local time,[2] but the aircraft overran the runway by 160 metres (520 ft),[3] and sustained minimal damage in the process.[1] The aircraft was landed at a speed of 350 to 380 kilometres per hour (190 to 210 kn) due to the lack of flaps. Although the flaps are powered by hydraulics, the switches operating them are electrical.[2] All nine crew and 72 passengers evacuated using the aircraft's evacuation slides. No injuries were reported.[2]
The aircraft was damaged, though there are conflicting reports describing the extent of the damage.[1][2] Even if repaired, the aircraft requires, when used on commercial flights, 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) of runway to take-off.[4] The runway at Izhma is 1,325 metres (4,347 ft) long.[5] Nevertheless, there are reports the airline is planning eventually to return the plane into operation.[1]
Weather at the time was overcast, with a visibility of 22 kilometres (12 nmi), temperature was 2°C, dewpoint 1°C, Humidity 85%, wind from the north west at 4 knots (7.4 km/h).[2] The successful emergency landing was hailed as a miracle by Russian aviation experts.[3]
Aftermath
The survivors were temporarily housed in a sports complex at Izhma, due to a lack of hotel space locally.[6] They were later flown by Mil Mi-8 helicopter to Ukhta Airport,[7] where a replacement Tupolev Tu-154 flew them on to Moscow. Two passengers decided to continue their journey by rail.[2] The passengers of Flight 514 called for the flight crew to be honoured for their actions.[3] The crew remained in Ukhta to assist authorities with their investigation into the accident.[8]
Investigation
Russian authorities launched an investigation into the accident, with an initial reported expected to be published in 10 days.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Russian pilots land passenger jet in taiga saving 81 lives". RT. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hradecky, Simon (7 September 2010). "Accident: Alrosa Mirny T154 at Izhma on September 7, 2010, loss of electrics and landing on helicopter platform". The Aviation Herald. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Аварийная посадка в Коми: у самолета отказало всё оборудование" (in Russian). Vesti. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ^ a b c "Следствие опечатает самолет в Ижме" (in Russian). Komi. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ^ a b c d "RA-85684 Accident description". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 8 Septemer 2010.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "В Коми аварийно сел Ту-154" (in Russian). Lenta. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ^ "Tu-154 flying from Yakutia to Moscow makes emergency landing". News BCM. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.
- ^ "Alrosa Tu-154 overruns after emergency landing in Russia". Flight International. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 8 September 2010.