Aeroflot Flight N-528

Aeroflot

Industry	Airline
Headquarters	Moscow , Soviet Union

Template:Infobox aircraft occurrence

Aeroflot Flight N-528 was a scheduled passenger service operating between Odesa and Berdyansk that crashed at 11:22 local time while attempting to land amid adverse weather conditions.

Aircraft

The incident involved a Yakovlev Yak-40 aircraft registered to Aeroflot. This plane was manufactured at the Saratov facility in November 1972 and was delivered to Aeroflot’s Ukrainian branch on 17 November 1972.

Timeline and summary

At departure, weather conditions included the presence of cumulonimbus clouds at approximately 700 metres (2,300 ft), with visibility restricted to around 6 kilometres (3.7 mi; 3.2 nmi); wind direction was recorded at 20° with speeds of 6 km/h (3.2 kn; 3.7 mph) and gusts reaching 14.5 km/h (7.8 kn; 9.0 mph). At 11:16:37, weather observers advised issuing a storm warning to the operations manager, who responded with "busy." Contrary to regulations, this critical information was not relayed through the proper command hierarchy. At 11:16:47, the flight crew inquired about radar visibility from air traffic control. The manager reported visibility at 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) and confirmed radar detection of the aircraft. Based on this update, the crew opted to proceed with the approach system. At 11:18:15, approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi; 11 nmi) from the airport, control transferred the flight to the landing dispatcher. When the aircraft was 15 kilometres (9.3 mi; 8.1 nmi) out at an altitude of 400 metres (1,300 ft), the crew received instructions to adjust course to 95° due to a leftward deviation of roughly 300 metres (980 ft) and were cautioned about a lack of radar coverage within 6 kilometres () of the runway. Despite this warning, the crew elected not to execute a go-around. Approaching Berdyansk Airport, at 11:20:15, the pilots reported intercepting the glide path at an altitude of 8,600 metres (28,200 ft) and were subsequently directed to descend by 400 metres (1,300 ft). Clearance for landing was granted at 11:20:24. One second later, weather observers provided updated meteorological data upon request from dispatchers, describing storm conditions including heavy rain, wind speeds, and visibility restrictions. Scud and cumulonimbus clouds were noted at approximately 210 metres (690 ft), with wind coming from 280° at about 8 kilometres per hour (4.3 kn; 5.0 mph) and gusts up to 11 min kn mph. Visibility had diminished to roughly 500 min ft. At 11:21, questioning the reported visibility of 500 meters, the pilot attempted an instrument-based assessment but failed to communicate this action to air traffic control, thereby breaching established flight procedures.

The aircraft touched down approximately 5,000 min ft along an 8,200-min-ft runway while travelling at excessive speed and subsequently experienced aquaplaning. Uncertain of its exact position on the runway, the pilot attempted a go-around despite having less than 1,000 min ft remaining runway length. The plane then veered off beyond the runway’s departure end, collided with several trees, broke apart, and caught fire. Five passengers died instantly; one additional passenger and two flight attendants succumbed later due to injuries sustained.

Causes

Among the various factors attributed to the accident was the choice to proceed with landing at Berdyansk Airport despite adverse weather and limited visibility. The investigation also highlighted deficiencies in personnel management at both the control tower and the meteorological station. Additionally, the provision of incomplete or inaccurate weather information to the flight crew was identified as a contributing element.

See also

• Aeroflot accidents and incidents
• Aeroflot accidents and incidents in the 1980s
• China Airlines Flight 140, an Airbus A300 that crashed during an attempted go-around caused by pilot mistakes.