Flight UT-579 Crashes into Riverbed in Sochi, Russia

**Hunted** · #1 ● 09-01-2018, 07:36 PM

On August 31st, a UTAir Boeing 737-800, registered as VQ-BJI, was operating flight UT-579 from Moscow Vnukovo to Sochi, Russia. The aircraft was carrying 164 passengers and had 6 crew members on board. As it approached Sochi Airport, it encountered changing weather conditions that led to runway assignment changes.

The initial approach was directed towards runway 02, but due to evolving weather conditions, the runway was changed to runway 06. During the landing attempt on runway 06, the aircraft aborted its first approach at around 2300 feet due to shifting winds. After a go-around from approximately 400 feet above sea level, the aircraft attempted a third and final approach to runway 06.

Unfortunately, during this third approach, the aircraft overran the end of the runway and came to a halt in a river bed beyond the runway's end. The left engine (CFM56) caught fire as a result of the overrun. Emergency services at Sochi Airport swiftly responded to extinguish the flames, and the passengers and crew were evacuated from the aircraft.

Tragically, during the evacuation process, an airport worker suffered a fatal heart attack. In total, 18 occupants of the aircraft sustained injuries, while the others remained unharmed. The aircraft itself sustained substantial damage beyond repair.

Investigations into the incident were initiated to determine the exact causes and circumstances of the runway overrun and subsequent fire.