Update 8
The Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) reported that the investigation team together with UAE and USA experts continues to work on the collection and analysis of information. The accident aircraft fragments identification and layout works are underway at Rostov Civil Aviation Factory N412 facilities.
Photo courtesy of the Interstate Aviation Committee
Based on the onboard recorders data analysis there were no failures of the aircraft systems or components, and power plant failures detected. The aircraft had a valid Airworthiness Certificate, received all necessary maintenance and was in working order before the last departure.
The detailed analysis of all factors related to the aircraft operation is continues. The investigation team plans to conduct necessary examinations of the aircraft control system recovered components and elements. The Boeing Company received the request for providing all the technical documentation necessary for the evaluation of the aircraft systems performance, and also the information requested related to the Boeing aircraft events with similar scenarios.
At IAC Laboratory the investigators are working on the data preparation for the mathematical model analysis and for the aircraft flight trajectory recovering supported by the audio and video reconstruction of the accident flight.
In the context of the media information with some links to the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) data, the Interstate Aviation Committee states that in accordance with International and Russian air accident investigation policy the CVR data is considered as non-public disclosure information. The IAC has not disclosed and have no intention for the disclosure of this data. The work on the transcript of the flight crew conversation is ongoing. As of today, more than one hour of flight crew conversations are transcribed, including the final stage conversations. Experts from the UAE, RF, USA, and France are involved in this job in the IAC Laboratory.
End of update 8
Update 7
flydubai has retired flight number FZ981 from its schedule. The airline said in a statement:
“As a mark of respect, flydubai confirms it has retired flight number FZ981. The flight from Dubai to Rostov-on-Don operated on 22 March as flight number FZ935 and will continue to operate as per the current schedule”.
End of update 7
Update 6
Additional videos from surveillance cameras around the airport have emerged.
This surveillance camera captures the initial part of the go around and descent
(Source: Youtube/Donday Rostov)
Surveillance camera captures the aircraft descent and the explosion after impact
(Source: Youtube)
End of update 6
Update 5
The IAC Laboratory experts together with UAE and BEA (France) representatives have performed the preparation works on the extraction of the memory modules from the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) crash-protected cases, as well as the data readout. The preliminary analysis shows that the recorder was operational in flight, and was recording the flight data till the aircraft ground collision. The quality of recording is satisfactory. The experts start the recording data decoding and analyzing.
The Cockpit Data Recorder (CVR) shows mechanical damages. The X-ray radiographic examination of the memory module and interface cable has been performed. The interface cable recovering, as well as the module non-volatile memory state examination will now continue.
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(Images courtesy of the Interstate Aviation Committee)
End of update 5
Update 4
Approach chart for runway 22 at Rostov-on-Don:
(Source Federal Air Transport Agency / AIP)
End of update 4
Update 3
The Interstate Aviation Committee (IAC) announced that the Investigation team has completed the works at the accident site and the preparation for the aircraft fragments layout in Rostov-on-Don has started.
Together with the airline experts, UAE investigators, and with the participation of experts from Spain and Cyprus, the collection and analysis of the information related to the aircraft airworthiness, flight preparation and flight crew training is currently being conducted.
The IAC Laboratory experts, together with specialists from UAE and France, have completed the works on the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) data downloading. All data from the CVR is downloaded till the moment of the actual crash. The quality of data is satisfactory. The investigators are working on the data analysis and the preparation of a full transcript of the flight crew conversation in the cockpit.
The works on the data decoding, analysis and synchronization of the onboard recorders with ATC data and weather information are currently underway.
End of update 3
Update 2
CEO of flydubai holds press conference on flight FZ981 accident
(Source: Government of Dubai Media Office)
End of update 2
Update 1
flydubai confirmed that the accident involving flight number FZ981 at Rostov-on-Don earlier today has resulted in 55 passenger fatalities including 33 women, 18 men and 4 children. The nationalities of the deceased passengers include 44 Russians, 8 Ukrainians, 2 Indians and 1 Uzbekistani.
The airline said in a statement:
“We are currently contacting relatives of the passengers and crew who were on board and we are offering any help we can to those affected”.
“Chief Executive Officer Ghaith Al Ghaith, with the support of the full management team, is leading our response to the accident. At this stage the focus of our efforts is on establishing the facts around the incident and providing all possible support to the authorities. Our emergency response team are now en-route to Rostov-on-Don”.
End of update 1
A flydubai’s Boeing 737-800, reg A6-FDN (msn 40241), from Dubai carrying about 60 people has crashed on landing in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, Russian officials said.
Survivors were unlikely, a representative of the region’s emergency ministry said on Saturday.
The airline confirmed in a statement:
“flydubai regrets to confirm that flight FZ981 crashed on landing and that fatalities have been confirmed as a result of this tragic accident. The aircraft departed from Dubai International (DXB) at 18:20 GMT bound for Rostov on Don (ROV). The accident occurred in Rostov on Don at approximately 00:50 GMT”.
“We are doing all we can to gather information as quickly as possible. At this moment our thoughts and prayers are with our passengers and our crew who were on board the aircraft”.
The plane’s flight path, as tracked by Flight Radar 24. Courtesy of Flighradar24.com
Air-traffic control and local emergency services confirmed that the Boeing 737-800 jet crashed near the runway during a second approach in conditions of poor visibility.
“According to preliminary data, the Boeing 737-800 crashed in poor visibility conditions, some 50-100 meters left of the runway,” the source said.
Emergency crews are working at the scene of the crash and have already put out the fire, according to a source.
The airport is to remain closed until at least 9:00am Moscow time. As a result at least six flights have been delayed, two of which were supposed to leave for St. Petersburg, while the others were due to arrive in Moscow. The inbound flights are getting rerouted to Krasnodar.
ATC recording (Source: Youtube/Donday Rostov):
Weather reports at the time of the accident:
URRR 190200Z 25011MPS 4600 1700SW SHRA BKN014 BKN032CB OVC100 06/04 Q0997 R22/290046 TEMPO 25017G25MPS 1000 SHRA BR SCT003 BKN020CB RMK QFE740/0987
URRR 190130Z 24012G18MPS 4400 1700SW SHRA BKN013 BKN032CB OVC100 06/04 Q0997 R22/290046 TEMPO 25017G25MPS 1000 SHRA BR SCT003 BKN020CB RMK QFE740/0987
URRR 190100Z 24014G22MPS 3800 -SHRA BKN014 BKN033CB OVC100 06/04 Q0997 R22/290046 TEMPO 25017G25MPS 1000 SHRA BR SCT003 BKN020CB RMK QFE740/0987
URRR 190030Z 24012G19MPS 6000 -SHRA SCT018 BKN036CB OVC100 06/04 Q0998 R22/290046 TEMPO 25017G25MPS 1000 SHRA BR SCT003 BKN020CB RMK QFE741/0988
URRR 190000Z 24010MPS 8000 -SHRA SCT017 BKN040CB OVC100 06/03 Q0998 WS R22 R22/290046 TEMPO 25015G20MPS 1000 SHRA BR SCT003 BKN020CB RMK QFE741/0988
URRR 182330Z 24012MPS 3900 -SHRA SCT019 BKN036CB OVC100 06/03 Q0999 WS R22 R22/290046 TEMPO 25015G20MPS 1000 SHRA BR SCT003 BKN020CB RMK QFE741/0989