Alrosa Flight 514
| Industry | Aviation |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Mirny , Russia |
| Products | Air transport services |
Template:Infobox aircraft occurrence
Alrosa Flight 514 was a domestic Tupolev Tu-154 passenger service operating between Udachny and Moscow, Russia. On 7 September 2010, following a total in-flight electrical failure, the crew executed an emergency landing at a remote airstrip. All 81 individuals aboard survived without injury.
While cruising at altitude, the aircraft experienced a sudden electrical outage that disabled its fuel management system along with all navigation and communication equipment, rendering continuation to the planned destination impossible. The flight crew chose to perform an emergency landing at the disused Izhma Airport. The plane overshot the runway's end and came to rest amid surrounding vegetation, sustaining damage but remaining upright on its landing gear.
Subsequent to the incident, the Flight 514 crew received commendations for their professionalism. The aircraft was repaired successfully and later flown out of the airfield to return to service with Alrosa.
Accident
At approximately 06:59 local time (02:59 UTC), while flying over Usinsk,[1] at an altitude of 10,600 metres (34,800 ft) (Flight Level 348), the first indications of trouble emerged. Shortly thereafter, the entire electrical system failed, causing loss of navigational aids and electric fuel pumps.[2] This pump failure halted fuel transfer from the wing tanks to the fuselage’s engine feed tank,[3] leaving only about 3,300 kilograms (7,300 lb) of usable fuel,[1] sufficient for roughly half an hour of flight.[4]
By around 07:47, emergency services at Izhma, Komi Republic were notified that an emergency landing attempt would be made at the local airfield. Izhma Airport is a former fixed-wing airstrip now primarily used for helicopter operations,[2] featuring a 1,325 metres ([convert: unknown unit]) runway that is officially closed but not abandoned.[2][3] The airfield ceased fixed-wing operations in 2003,[4] and it had been removed from current aeronautical charts.[5]
Passengers were relocated toward the front of the cabin in preparation for landing. The electrical outage also disabled radio communications and rendered flaps and slats inoperative.[1] Two initial landing attempts were aborted. On the third try,[3] a successful emergency touchdown occurred at 07:55 local time.[2] The aircraft overshot the runway by approximately 160 metres (520 ft),[1] sustaining some damage during this overrun. Due to non-functioning flaps—which rely on electrically controlled switches despite hydraulic actuation—the plane touched down at a speed between 350 to 380 kilometres per hour (220 to 240 mph), faster than usual.[2] All nine crew members and seventy-two passengers evacuated safely using the aircraft’s evacuation slides, with no injuries reported.[2]
Aircraft
The flight was operated by a Tupolev Tu-154M tri-jet aircraft, bearing the registration RA-85684 and serial number 90A-851. This airplane was manufactured in the year 1990.
Aftermath
Following evacuation from the aircraft and while awaiting assistance, several passengers engaged in mushroom foraging, a common recreational activity in Russia. Due to the limited hotel availability in Izhma, a local sports facility served as temporary lodging for the unexpected arrivals. Subsequently, the passengers were transported by Mil Mi-8 helicopter to Ukhta Airport, where they boarded a replacement Tupolev Tu-154 for continuation to Moscow. Notably, two travelers opted to complete their journey via train. The passengers of Flight 514 advocated for recognition of the flight crew’s conduct during the incident. Meanwhile, the crew remained at Ukhta to support officials with their investigative efforts regarding the accident. Russian aviation specialists described the emergency landing as nothing short of miraculous. Transport Minister Igor Levitin personally met with the crew, expressing gratitude for their "heroic, decisive and professional actions" and commended their bravery.
Awards
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Captain Yevgeny Novoselov and First Officer Andrei Lamanov, pilots of Flight 514, were honored with the title of Heroes of the Russian Federation. The remaining seven crew members received the Order of Courage. These distinctions were conferred through a decree signed by President Dmitry Medvedev.
The successful emergency landing was made possible in part due to Sergey Sotnikov, the airport superintendent who maintained the runway clear of vegetation despite its closure to traffic in 2003. In recognition of his efforts, Sotnikov was later awarded a decoration by the Russian president.
Investigation
Russian officials initiated a formal inquiry into the incident. An initial report was anticipated within approximately ten days.[1] On 14 September 2010, findings revealed that the batteries had undergone self-induced overheating, resulting in a thermal runaway event. This malfunction disrupted the aircraft’s entire electrical network, including its navigation and radio systems.[2]
Return to service
Although the aircraft incurred significant damage during its runway excursion, following an evaluation by the manufacturer Tupolev, Alrosa determined that repairs were feasible and opted to restore the plane to operational status. After replacing two of the three engines, the Tu-154 was lightened by removing all non-essential components and fueled only with the minimum required amount. Pilots from the Russian State Scientific Research Institute of Civil Aviation (GosNII GA) were tasked with piloting the aircraft from the airfield.[6][7]
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On 24 March 2011, half a year after the accident, the aircraft successfully departed from Izhma to cover 160 kilometres (100 mi) en route to Ukhta Airport for refueling and inspection, followed by a flight to Samara Airport for additional repairs. Although a Tu-154 typically requires about 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) of runway for takeoff,[4] this particular RA-85684 managed lift-off after only 800 metres (2,600 ft), well within the available 1,300-metre (4,300 ft) runway length at Izhma.[6][8]
By June 2011, repairs were finalized. Subsequently, RA-85684, renamed Izhma, returned to active service with Alrosa. It continued operations until September 2018 when its certificate of airworthiness expired and the airline decided that renewing it was not financially viable.[9]
On 29 September 2018, Izhma completed its final flight from Mirny Airport, Alrosa’s main base, to Novosibirsk Tolmachevo Airport in Siberia, where it was transferred to a local aviation museum collection. The first officer from the original accident flight, Lamanov, served as pilot in command during this last journey and was greeted upon arrival by captain Novoselov.[10]
See also
References
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedFG354735 - ↑ "Pilots to attempt flying 'miracle' crash plane". The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 September 2010. Archived from the original on 26 September 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2010.
- ↑ Nilsen, Thomas (29 March 2011). "Exceptional take off". BarentsObserver. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
- ↑ "Tu-154M c/n 90A851". Soviet Transport Database. Dutch Aviation Society. Retrieved 7 February 2025.
- ↑ Zharkov, Andrey (2 October 2018). "Самолет Ту-154М "Ижма" установлен в музее аэропорта "Толмачёво"". Aviation Explorer (in Russian). Retrieved 18 August 2019.
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External links
- Footage depicting the aircraft following the emergency touchdown
- Clip illustrating the aircraft's preparation and departure from Izhma Airport
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