Aeroflot Flight 1691

Template:Infobox Aircraft accident Aeroflot Flight 1691 crashed close to Vnukovo Airport in Moscow on 17 March 1979, resulting in the deaths of 58 out of the 119 occupants aboard. The Tupolev Tu-104B assigned to this flight was operating above its maximum weight, and the crew was misled by a false engine fire warning.

Accident sequence

Originally scheduled to depart for Odessa at 08:15 local time, Flight 1691 experienced delays due to unfavorable weather conditions affecting both the departure and arrival airports. The aircraft finally took off at 19:32 local time. Merely five seconds after liftoff, a fire alarm for the left engine activated in the cockpit. Despite this, the plane continued ascending and executed four turns to return toward Vnukovo. Subsequently, the flaps were set to a 20-degree deflection. The aircraft intercepted the glideslope at an altitude of 360 meters and was positioned approximately 50 meters left of the runway centerline. The descent rate increased sharply, and just 2.5 seconds prior to initial ground contact, the pilots advanced the throttles to takeoff power but maintained that setting without success. The first impact involved the left main landing gear striking cables along a road near Vnukovo. The aircraft touched down on terrain located 1,548 meters from the runway threshold. During the ensuing rollover, the left engine detached from the airframe and a fire erupted. The accident claimed the lives of 57 passengers and one flight attendant.

Investigation

The investigation concluded that overloading of the aircraft was a contributing factor. Additional issues identified included inadequate crew communication and a false fire warning triggered by incompatible engine components.

Consequences

Following this incident, in November 1979, the Ministry of Civil Aviation resolved to withdraw all Tu-104 models from commercial operations.

External links

• Detailed report on Aeroflot Flight 1691 at Aviation Safety Network