Khabarovsk Avia Let L-410UVP plane crash
Nelkan, Russia
Updated on
The Let L-410 operated by Khabarovsk Avia took off from Khabarovsk, Russia, for a passenger flight to Nikolayevsk-on-Amur, Russia. 5 passengers and 2 crewmembers were onboard. However, the plane could not land in Nikolayevsk-on-Amur due to weather. The crew decided to divert to their alternate aerodrome Indiga but also could not land there due to weather. The crew then decided to divert to their next scheduled destination Nelkan, Russia. The plane crashed while it was on final approach. 6 occupants were killed, and a 3 year-old girl survived with serious injuries.
The twin-engine short-range passenger plane was on final approach at around 500 feet (150 meters) above ground level when the aircraft rolled right and entered a steep descent. The aircraft fell into a forest with almost no forward speed and a high vertical speed. The wreckage was found about 800 meters (0.5 NM) from the runway threshold. The distance from first ground contact to final position was 3 meters (10 feet), showing the aircraft had almost no forward speed when it crashed. There had been no fire and or explosion.
Investigations have shown that the right hand propeller went into reverse mode (also known as beta mode) while the aircraft was descending and passing 500 feet above ground level, and remained in that position until impact with the ground. The left hand engine continued to operate normally. The crew recognized the right hand propeller had gone into beta mode. The right hand beta mode as well as the crew actions caused the aircraft to slow, roll and yaw right almost 180 degrees.
Weather conditions were good at Nelkan at the time of the accident, with good visibility and low wind.
