AndrewDoyle/MUNICH
The Hungarian civil aviation authority (CAA) has completed the initial phase of its investigation into why the crew of a Malev Tupolev Tu-154 failed to extend the aircraft's undercarriage on approach to Thessaloniki airport in Greece on 4 July.
The pilots initiated a late go-around after apparently receiving notification from air traffic control, but failed to arrest their descent and made full contact with the runway, damaging the aircraft's wings, flaps and fuselage. The crew nevertheless continued the go-around, managing to climb out, lower the gear and land safely.
There were 94 people on board the Tu-154B (HA-LCR), none of which were injured. The 18-year old aircraft is still in Thessaloniki and is unlikely to be repaired.
The CAA says the flight data recorder shows the crew did not extend the gear during the approach. The cockpit voice recorder transcript confirms the pilots did not complete the landing checklist, according to the CAA. There is no evidence of any technical problems with the aircraft.
On the day of the incident Thessaloniki's main runway 34 was closed, necessitating the use of runway 28 which is normally reserved for military operations. This required an initial approach towards runway 34, followed by a late turn.
The investigators are trying to determine whether the complex non-standard approach, coupled with the presence of a Condor Boeing 757 which cleared the active runway just before the Tu-154 arrived at the threshold, may have distracted the crew.
The Hungarian authorities are waiting for radar tapes in order to complete the investigation. The pilots have been suspended pending the outcome.
Source: Flight International
