MALÉV Flight 262
Encyclopedia
Malév Flight 262 was a flight from Budapest Ferihegy International Airport
to Thessaloniki International Airport. On 4 July 2000, a Tupolev Tu-154
used on this flight performed a gear-up touchdown during the landing at Thessaloniki, skidded on the runway, but was able to take off and land normally after a go-around
. No injuries were reported.
. However, on the day of the incident, the intended aircraft (registration HA-LES) had an engine problem and was replaced with Tupolev Tu-154, registration HA-LCR, at the last minute.
After a short flight from Budapest
, the Tupolev started descent to its destination in very good weather conditions. The flight path followed over the mountains, with just 100 metres over the hilltops at times. The GPWS system, detecting such a low height, constantly warned the crew to lower the undercarriage
. Disturbed by the ever sounding horn, the flight crew switched the system off.
The airplane was approaching Thessaloniki
without apparent problems but faster than usual. Due to that, it turned on to its final approach sooner than expected. At that time, the destination runway 28 was occupied by a Boeing 757
, cleared to take-off. The Tupolev's pilot in command
decided not to lower the landing gear and to perform a go-around
.
Nevertheless, as the 757 started take-off, the captain decided to land. Due to extreme time constraints, the crew didn't have enough time to read the before-landing checklist
. With deactivated GPWS, only the Tower ATC
could warn the crew that the landing gear was up. However, since the Tupolev already had landing clearance
, the tower controllers were busy departing the 757.
The Flight 262 captain realized the problem and immediately ordered to go around. Full throttle was applied, but because jet engines react slowly, the aircraft continued descent and hit the runway
at a speed of 300 km/h. The Tupolev skidded on its landing gear carriages and tail at least 500 meters. As the engines spun up, the Tu-154 lifted off the ground, became airborne again and climbed out.
Malév 262 climbed to 1000 metres and tried to extend the landing gear. The airport was closed and the aircraft made a low approach above the control tower with lowered gear before attempting the landing again. After the belly landing, the Tupolev was airborne for further 16 minutes and 20 seconds.
At the time of the incident, the Hungarian National airline Malév was phasing out their old Tupolevs. Malév inspected the hidden damages of the involved aircraft and realised that it would be uneconomical to repair it. Malév donated the wreck to the fire department of the airport. Now the fire fighters of Thessaloniki airport are trained on the former HA-LCR.
Budapest Ferihegy International Airport
Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport , formerly known as Budapest Ferihegy International Airport, is the international airport serving the Hungarian capital city of Budapest, and the largest of the country's five international airports. The airport offers international connections primarily...
to Thessaloniki International Airport. On 4 July 2000, a Tupolev Tu-154
Tupolev Tu-154
The Tupolev Tu-154 is a three-engine medium-range narrow-body airliner designed in the mid 1960s and manufactured by Tupolev. As the mainstay 'workhorse' of Soviet and Russian airlines for several decades, it serviced over a sixth of the world's landmass and carried half of all passengers flown...
used on this flight performed a gear-up touchdown during the landing at Thessaloniki, skidded on the runway, but was able to take off and land normally after a go-around
Go-around
A go-around is an aborted landing of an aircraft that is on final approach.- Origin of the term :The term arises from the traditional use of traffic patterns at airfields. A landing aircraft will first join the circuit pattern and prepare for landing in an orderly fashion...
. No injuries were reported.
Before the incident
The aircraft normally used on this service was Boeing 737-300Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
. However, on the day of the incident, the intended aircraft (registration HA-LES) had an engine problem and was replaced with Tupolev Tu-154, registration HA-LCR, at the last minute.
After a short flight from Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
, the Tupolev started descent to its destination in very good weather conditions. The flight path followed over the mountains, with just 100 metres over the hilltops at times. The GPWS system, detecting such a low height, constantly warned the crew to lower the undercarriage
Undercarriage
The undercarriage or landing gear in aviation, is the structure that supports an aircraft on the ground and allows it to taxi, takeoff and land...
. Disturbed by the ever sounding horn, the flight crew switched the system off.
The airplane was approaching Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
without apparent problems but faster than usual. Due to that, it turned on to its final approach sooner than expected. At that time, the destination runway 28 was occupied by a Boeing 757
Boeing 757
The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Passenger versions of the twinjet have a capacity of 186 to 289 persons and a maximum range of , depending on variant and cabin configuration...
, cleared to take-off. The Tupolev's pilot in command
Pilot in command
The pilot in command of an aircraft is the person aboard the aircraft who is ultimately responsible for its operation and safety during flight. This would be the "captain" in a typical two- or three-pilot flight crew, or "pilot" if there is only one certified and qualified pilot at the controls of...
decided not to lower the landing gear and to perform a go-around
Go-around
A go-around is an aborted landing of an aircraft that is on final approach.- Origin of the term :The term arises from the traditional use of traffic patterns at airfields. A landing aircraft will first join the circuit pattern and prepare for landing in an orderly fashion...
.
Nevertheless, as the 757 started take-off, the captain decided to land. Due to extreme time constraints, the crew didn't have enough time to read the before-landing checklist
Checklist
A checklist is a type of informational job aid used to reduce failure by compensating for potential limits of human memory and attention. It helps to ensure consistency and completeness in carrying out a task...
. With deactivated GPWS, only the Tower ATC
Air traffic control
Air traffic control is a service provided by ground-based controllers who direct aircraft on the ground and in the air. The primary purpose of ATC systems worldwide is to separate aircraft to prevent collisions, to organize and expedite the flow of traffic, and to provide information and other...
could warn the crew that the landing gear was up. However, since the Tupolev already had landing clearance
Clearance
A clearance can refer to:* in chess, A positional move, where a player moves a piece occupying a certain square away, replacing it with an allied piece that will strengthen the player's position....
, the tower controllers were busy departing the 757.
First landing attempt
As the Tupolev came closer Captain Peter "Trenky" Trenkner sitting in his aircraft on the apron discovered that the landing Tupolev didn't have its landing gear extended. He shouted into the radio several times: "Go around, Malev Go-around!" (Audible on the CVR recording)The Flight 262 captain realized the problem and immediately ordered to go around. Full throttle was applied, but because jet engines react slowly, the aircraft continued descent and hit the runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
at a speed of 300 km/h. The Tupolev skidded on its landing gear carriages and tail at least 500 meters. As the engines spun up, the Tu-154 lifted off the ground, became airborne again and climbed out.
Malév 262 climbed to 1000 metres and tried to extend the landing gear. The airport was closed and the aircraft made a low approach above the control tower with lowered gear before attempting the landing again. After the belly landing, the Tupolev was airborne for further 16 minutes and 20 seconds.
Second landing attempt
The pilots landed the aircraft very smoothly, but were afraid that the landing gear would collapse and the plane would spin around and explode. Тhe Tupolev was fueled for the return flight to Budapest as well, and there were more than 30 tons of jet fuel on board. However, the landing roll went safely. The characteristic Tupolev's massive landing gear carriages, in which the wheels are retracted during the flight were used as sledges and shielded the landing gear, wing and flaps.At the time of the incident, the Hungarian National airline Malév was phasing out their old Tupolevs. Malév inspected the hidden damages of the involved aircraft and realised that it would be uneconomical to repair it. Malév donated the wreck to the fire department of the airport. Now the fire fighters of Thessaloniki airport are trained on the former HA-LCR.