Ural A321 at Moscow on Aug 15th 2019, bird strike into both engines forces landing in corn field

Last Update: August 14, 2020 / 18:03:11 GMT/Zulu time

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Photo of Ural Airlines VQ-BOZ, Airbus A321 — Ural Airlines VQ-BOZ, Airbus A321 (Photo credit: Anna Zvereva / Flickr / License: CC by-sa)

Incident Facts

Date of incident
Aug 15, 2019

Classification
Accident

Cause
Bird strike

Airline
Ural Airlines

Flight number
U6-178

Departure
Moscow Zhukovsky, Russia

Destination
Simferopol, Ukraine

Aircraft Registration
VQ-BOZ

Aircraft Type
Airbus A321

ICAO Type Designator
A321

An Ural Airlines Airbus A321-200, registration VQ-BOZ performing flight U6-178 from Moscow Zhukovsky (Russia) to Simferopol (Ukraine) with 226 passengers and 7 crew, was in the initial climb through 750 feet out of Zkukovsky's runway 12 at about 06:15L (03:15Z) when the aircraft flew through a flock of birds and ingested birds into both engines (CFM56). Both engines failed, one emitting noises as if the engine spools up and down, forcing the crew to stop the climb at 750 feet and land the aircraft in a corn field about 2.77nm past the runway with gear retracted (Approximate position N55.512 E38.252). The occupants of the aircraft evacuated via slides, there were 10 injuries (including three children), 23 people asked for medical assistance. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.

The airline reported the aircraft received a large bird hit when departing Zhukovsky and made a forced landing. Passengers and crew were not injured.

Russia's Emergency Ministry reported 226 passengers including 6 children and 7 crew were on board, all evacuated. 10 passengers including 3 children needed medical attention. The aircraft was found outside the airport, the right hand engine was smoking but no fires, no fuel leaking, the cabin was inspected for people inside, the engines were sprayed for cooling. Eight busses were deployed to the accident site to return the passengers to Zhukovsky Airport.

Russia's Ministry of Transport reported the aircraft suffered a bird strike into both engines while flying through a flock of sea gulls and landed in a field more than 1km from the airport. The aircraft landed gear up, the crew shut both engines down just prior to landing. A special commission was set up to investigate the accident. The cause of the forced landing was the failure of the right hand engine, that caught fire following a bird strike.

Rosaviatsia reported right after becoming airborne the aircraft collided with a flock of sea gulls, their entry into the engines caused significant interruptions in their work. The crew decided to land straight ahead. The forced landing took place in a corn field between middle and outer marker (of the ILS landing system opposite direction). The aircraft landed with the gear retracted, both engines were shut down just prior to touch down. All 226 passengers and 7 crew were evacuated via slides. Affected passengers were promptly taken to a medical facility in Zhukovsky, the other passengers were taken back to Zhukovsky Airport. On Aug 18th 2019 Rosaviatsia added, that when taking off at magnetic heading of 121 degrees just as the aircraft began to climb the left hand engine failed followed by the failure of the right hand engine. The captain opted to land the aircraft without extending the landing gear in a field about 5300 meters past the end of the runway. 226 passegers and 7 crew were on board, 23 people asked for medical assistance.

States Prosecution have opened a criminal investigation.

Russia's MAK have opened an investigation. On Aug 18th 2019 the MAK reported the flight data and cockpit voice recorders have been downloaded, all data of the accident flight have been found, decoding and analysis have begun. Investigators from Rosaviatsia as well as th French BEA have joined the investigation by the MAK, the UK AAIB have assigned an accredited representativ to represent the interests of the state of registration (Bermuda). Work on the scene of the accident is still ongoing.

The flight crew told Russian media the problem began right after takeoff when a bird hit the left hand engine causing it to fail completely, shortly followed by another bird strike into the right hand engine which subsequently provided insufficient thrust to remain airborne. The captain took control and landed the aircraft in an open field.

On Aug 17th 2019 Russian Media reported citing a recording of ATC communication that the flight had received the departure clearance for runway 12 to climb to 900 meters straight ahead, Clearance reported individual bird flights in the area. The aircraft subsequently taxied to runway 12, reported ready for takeoff and were cleared for takeoff. Immediately after becoming airborne the crew declared "PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN, one engine failure". The crew requested and was cleared to return to Zhukovsky. Radio was silent for about a minute. Then ATC called the flight, the crew answered requesting ambulances and emergency services. ATC, still assuming the aircraft was in flight, advised they are ready for their landing and requested height and number of passengers and crew. The crew advised they had force landed past the runway, 226 passengers and 7 crew on board. ATC asked: "Where are you?", the crew asked "Did the ELT work?", ATC advised it did not. The crew manually turned the ELT on, but it was still not being received. The crew advised they had evacuated all passengers, there were no injuries, everybody had left the aircraft. ATC couldn't believe it: "No injuries?" the pilot affirmed "No injuries!" The crew subsequently reported their coordinates to ATC at "55°30.6 north latitude, 38°15.2 east longitude". A runway inspection was initiated while emergency services were heading towards the accident site. ATC and ground services discussed sending busses to the accident site to return the passengers to Zhukovsky and dispatched the busses.

On Aug 14th 2020 the MAK reported that all works but the work of a special group on the analysis of ornithological support of flight and the influence of places of attracting birds (landfills, water bodies, etc.) have been completed. The study regarding ornithological support was delayed by the restrictive measures associated with the Corona pandemic. The MAK stated: "After receiving and studying the conclusion of the ornithological group, the Commission of Inquiry will complete the assessment of the actions of the aircraft flight crew, ATC specialists, the aerodrome service and the ornithological flight support service and their interaction. Based on the results of all work, a Final Report on the results of the investigation will be prepared."

The status of Crimea and Simferopol is disputed. According to international law and United Nations the Crimea belong to the Ukraine although Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

Metars:
UUBW 150500Z 14004MPS CAVOK 20/17 Q1007 R30/010060 NOSIG=
UUBW 150430Z 12003MPS CAVOK 18/16 Q1008 R30/210250 NOSIG=
UUBW 150400Z 12003MPS 9999 FEW009 17/15 Q1008 R30/210250 NOSIG=
COR UUBW 150330Z 11004MPS 9000 FEW009 16/15 Q1008 R30/210250 NOSIG=
UUBW 150300Z 11004MPS CAVOK 15/14 Q1008 R30/210250 NOSIG=
UUBW 150230Z 11004MPS CAVOK 15/14 Q1009 R30/210250 NOSIG=
UUBW 150200Z 10004MPS CAVOK 16/14 Q1009 R30/210250 NOSIG=
UUBW 150130Z 11005MPS 9999 SCT040CB 16/14 Q1009 R30/210250 NOSIG=
UUBW 150100Z 11006MPS 7000 -TSRA SCT014CB 16/15 Q1009 R30/010060 NOSIG=
UUBW 150030Z 11005MPS 090V200 9999 TS BKN057CB 15/13 Q1010 R30/010060 TEMPO 2500 -TSRA BKN015CB=