Ural Airlines Aircraft emergency landing due to hydraulic failure
On September 12, 2023, a Ural Airlines Airbus A320 en route from Sochi (AER) to Omsk (OMS), Russia, faced a critical situation. This 19-year-old aircraft, with 165 people on board, including passengers and crew, made an emergency landing in a field near Kamenka, Russia. This dramatic event unfolded due to a hydraulic failure and fuel concerns. Despite sustaining damage to its gear and wings, all occupants were safely evacuated.
The Emergency Landing
The Airbus A320 had embarked on its journey from Sochi at 00:55 UTC. Its scheduled arrival in Omsk was around 07:50. However, during the final approach, the crew encountered a hydraulic failure, prompting them to initiate a go-around. Climbing to approximately 18,000 feet (FL180), the aircraft redirected towards Novosibirsk (OVB). Yet, as it was approximately 180 kilometres away from OVB, the crew grew concerned about running out of fuel. This anxiety led to their decision to land in an open field near Kamenka.
The Aftermath
The aircraft involved in this incident bore the registration RA-73805 and operated as flight U6-1383. Miraculously, there were no casualties or serious injuries reported among the passengers and crew. However, the aircraft suffered damage to its gear and wings.
In a subsequent press conference, the CEO of Ural Airlines disclosed that the aircraft’s green hydraulic system had failed while en route to Omsk. Moreover, the governor of Omsk stated that the crew, upon realising the failure, doubted that the Omsk runway’s length of 8,200 feet (2.5 kilometres) would suffice for a safe landing. The hydraulic failure not only affected the operation of spoilers and flaps but also increased the required landing distance.
As a result, the pilots chose to divert to Novosibirsk, boasting a longer runway measuring 11,800 feet (3.6 kilometers). Initial calculations indicated that the aircraft should have had sufficient fuel to reach this alternative airport. However, an unexpected factor came into play—the aircraft had flown with its landing gear doors open, leading to increased fuel consumption. Adding to the complexity were strong headwinds, further challenging the aircraft’s fuel reserves.
When it became evident that reaching Novosibirsk was unfeasible, the crew executed a skillful landing in the wheat field with the landing gear extended.
Aircraft Details
The aircraft in question, an A320-200, was manufactured in February 2004 and leased to Ural Airlines in 2013. Interestingly, this A320 had not been returned to lessors after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and had previously operated under the registration VP-BMW, belonging to AerCap.
RA-73805 had been actively serving Ural Airlines, operating numerous flights to various domestic destinations such as Dushanbe (DYU), Yekaterinburg (SVX), Makhachkala (MCX), Sochi (AER), and Moscow (DME) since September 10. Ural Airlines boasts a fleet of 52 aircraft, including 23 A320-200s. The airline’s CEO emphasised that there was no visible external damage to the aircraft, which remained on its landing gear when first responders arrived.
Swift Response and Investigation
In the aftermath of the emergency landing, the Novosibirsk governor mobilised an operational headquarters to provide assistance to the affected passengers. An An-26 rescue plane and buses were also dispatched to offer further assistance and transportation services.
While the governor of Omsk and the CEO of Ural Airlines commended the pilots for their safe emergency landing, aviation authorities initiated an investigation into the incident. Russia’s Investigative Committee even opened a criminal case to explore potential violations of air transport safety regulations.
A Similar Incident
This incident brings back memories of a similar occurrence in August 2019, when another Ural Airlines-operated aircraft crash-landed in a cornfield near Moscow. In that case, it was an Airbus A321, which had suffered a dual-engine failure following a bird strike. Remarkably, all passengers and crew survived, and the captain was hailed as a hero.
However, just like the events of September 12, experts suggested that the pilots could have handled the situation better. An investigation conducted by the Interstate Aviation Committee pointed to psychological stress as a factor that led the crew to act inconsistently and chaotically. It’s worth noting that the captain of the flight disagreed with these assessments, showcasing the complexities and challenges that pilots face in such high-pressure situations.
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