On 12 September 2023, a Ural Airlines A320 was forced to land in the field after it failed to land at the Omsk Airport.
The Airbus A320 with registration RA-73805, was operating flight U61383 from Sochi to Omsk, Russia with 159 passengers and 6 crew members onboard. However, during its final approach to Omsk’s runway 07, at an altitude of about 2000 feet MSL (mean sea level), the crew encountered a hydraulics failure at 07:41 local time (01:41 UTC). As a result, the crew executed a go-around maneuver.
Following the go-around, the aircraft ascended to FL180 and changed its course towards Novosibirsk, located approximately 320 nautical miles east of Omsk. Its ground speed was about 260 knots.
Emergency Landing
However, due to the ongoing hydraulic issue and open landing gear doors, the aircraft’s fuel consumption increased significantly. Realizing they couldn’t make it to Novosibirsk, the crew eventually opted to make a forced landing in an open field near Kamenka, situated about 110 nautical miles west of Novosibirsk. This emergency landing took place at approximately 09:45 local time (02:45 UTC).
Fortunately, there were no injuries among the passengers and crew, except for a person who needed help due to increased blood pressure. The aircraft sustained damage to its landing gear and wings. The Russian Civil Aviation Rostransnador reported the safe unplanned landing near the village of Kamenka, emphasizing that there were no injuries.
Footage shared on the internet shows passengers walking around the field following the forced landing.
Following the incident, the West Siberian Investigative Committee initiated an investigation, citing technical reasons as the cause of the incident.
According to the airline, the green hydraulics system had failed during the approach to Omsk. This failure impacted the operation of spoilers and flaps, requiring a longer landing distance.
Additionally, the landing gear doors remained open due to the hydraulic failure, and strong headwinds further increased fuel consumption. Realizing that reaching Novosibirsk was no longer feasible, the crew chose to perform a landing in an open field with the landing gear extended.
In response to the situation, the airline dispatched 6 buses to the landing site to transport passengers to Omsk and Novosibirsk. Passengers were also provided with food, water, and mobile phone chargers, and their luggage was returned to them.
Feature Image via Siberia (Twitter)
An extraordinary double dose of supreme piloting and luck.
Landing in a field could have caused a catastrophic cartwheeling and/or breaking apart, if the ground was soft or uneven or rate of descent not accurately handled or striking any obstructions.
Well done to the flight crew, cabin crew and emergency services.
A sigh of relief after that other recent emergency landing on a runway in Moscow that went tragically wrong with the loss of 41 passengers and crew.