Accident: Ural A321 at Moscow on Aug 15th 2019,
bird strike into both engines forces landing in corn field
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). 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.
States Prosecution have opened a criminal investigation.
Russia's MAK have opened an investigation.
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.
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=
