Dagestan Airlines Flight 372
| Company type | Airline |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aviation |
| Fate | Rebranded as South East Airlines in 2010 |
| Headquarters | Makhachkala , Russia |
Area served | Russia |
| Products | Passenger air transport |
Template:Infobox aircraft occurrence
Dagestan Airlines Flight 372 was a regular passenger service operating between Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport and Makhachkala, Russia. On December 4, 2010, the Tupolev Tu-154 assigned to this route veered off the runway during an emergency touchdown at Domodedovo Airport, located approximately 45 kilometres (28 mi; 24 nmi) southeast of Vnukovo. The accident resulted in two fatalities among those on board.[1][2]
Accident
The flight was en route from Moscow’s Vnukovo Airport to Uytash Airport in Makhachkala, situated in the Republic of Dagestan.[3] Shortly after departure at 14:07 local time (11:07 UTC), two of the aircraft’s three engines ceased functioning; the crew communicated engine failures when the plane was approximately 9,100 metres (29,900 ft) above ground.[1] An immediate diversion to Domodedovo Airport was initiated. During the final approach, the third engine also stopped operating.[1][3] The aircraft approached runway 32R from the right side at nearly a perpendicular angle, crossing over the threshold before executing a right turn about 500 metres (1,600 ft) to the left of the runway. It then crossed over and flew parallel just to the right of the runway.[4] The plane landed roughly 88 metres (289 ft) off the runway centerline and about 350 metres (1,150 ft) short of the runway’s end, breaking into three segments upon coming to a halt.[1][4][5]Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
Aircraft
The flight was operated by a tri-jet Tupolev Tu-154M with the registration RA-85744 and construction number 92A-927. Manufactured in 1992, this aircraft underwent a major overhaul in 2009 before being acquired by Dagestan Airlines in January 2010. Around the same period, the airline underwent a rebranding to become South East Airlines, and RA-85744 received the updated livery reflecting this change. The airplane was reportedly compliant with all applicable European safety regulations and had recently transported the Belgium national football team just one month prior to the incident, a flight that adhered strictly to European aviation standards.
Casualties
The emergency landing resulted in two fatalities and 92 individuals sustaining injuries, including 39 who were seriously hurt. Among those who lost their lives was the brother of Magomedsalam Magomedov, the president of Dagestan. The second fatality was the mother of a judge from the Constitutional Court of Russia. Initial media reports suggested she died from a heart attack, but the final investigation determined her death was caused by trauma sustained during the crash.
There was some initial uncertainty regarding the total number of passengers aboard; early accounts varied between 163 and 172 occupants. Eventually, it was confirmed that there were 168 people on board, including eight crew members.
Investigation and trial
Following the emergency landing, Russian officials promptly sent investigators to the crash location,[6] initiating a "criminal investigation" as declared by the Russian Investigative Committee.[7] Prosecutor General Yury Chaika was reported to be closely monitoring the case.[7] Within hours of the event, the lead prosecutor indicated that initial findings pointed towards a bird strike causing engine failure.[1]
By the following day, two out of three flight recorders from the aircraft had been retrieved.[8] The Interstate Aviation Committee (MAK) confirmed it had started examining these devices, which were described as being in "adequate condition".[9] The final recorder, the cockpit voice recorder, was found on 10 December.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name Data extracted from the flight data recorder revealed that approximately eight minutes after takeoff, at an altitude near 6,500 metres (21,300 ft), fluctuations occurred in fuel delivery to the engines. As the plane climbed past 9,000 metres (30,000 ft), the two outer engines ceased operation.[10] Following this, the pilots initiated a descent towards Domodedovo Airport.[10] Although the central engine experienced a "period of instability," it returned to normal function and remained operational until landing.[10]
Fuel quality at Vnukovo Airport was verified to comply with standards.[10] On 1 April 2011, investigators officially ruled out poor fuel quality as a contributing factor to the crash, despite earlier instrument indications suggesting irregularities in fuel supply prior to impact.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
The MAK published its final report on 26 September 2011, attributing the accident primarily to incorrect actions by the flight crew during instrument meteorological conditions with only one engine operational out of three. This led to an approach significantly deviated to the right of the runway’s extended centerline, resulting in runway excursion after touchdown and collision with an embankment. The investigation revealed that during fuel transfer, the flight engineer inadvertently switched off a fuel pump,[4] causing unstable fuel flow and abnormal altitude and engine parameters before the shutdown of the two outer engines. At this juncture, the crew decided to divert to Domodedovo Airport.[4] The report criticized the crew for not utilizing all available measures to manage engine failures and for failing to adhere to procedures for landing with two non-functioning engines. It also highlighted insufficient training for handling such emergencies.[4]
On 22 January 2015, pilot Zakarzha Zakarzhayev was convicted under article 263.3 of the Criminal Code of Russia for breaching safety regulations during transportation and air travel, resulting through negligence in multiple fatalities.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name He received a three-year suspended sentence and was immediately granted amnesty.Cite error: The opening <ref> tag is malformed or has a bad name
References
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External links
- "Emergency landing at Domodedovo Airport" – Dagestan Airlines (Russian) (Archived version)
- "Details on hospitalized passengers of flight 372 Vnukovo – Mineralnye Vody by Dagestan Airlines." Ministry of Health and Social Development (Russian)
- "Tu-154M RA-85744 incident on 04.12.2010." Interstate Aviation Committee (Russian) (Archived copy)
- Official investigation report (Russian) (Archived version)
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