Status: Preliminary
Date: 10 APR 2010
Time: 10:50
Type: Tupolev 154M
Operator: Polish Air Force
Registration:
C/n / msn:
First flight: 1990
Engines: 3 Soloviev D-30KU-154-II
Crew: Fatalities: / Occupants:
Passengers: Fatalities: / Occupants:
Total: Fatalities: 87 / Occupants: 87
Airplane damage: Destroyed
Airplane fate: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Smolensk Airport (LNX) (Russia)
Phase: Approach (APR)
Nature: Executive
Departure airport: Warszawa-Okecie Airport (WAW/EPWA), Poland
Destination airport: Smolensk Airport (LNX), Russia
Narrative:
The TU-154M was carrying Polish President Lech Kaczynski, wife, several V.I.P.s and other passengers. The pilots were attempting to land in foggy conditions. As the aircraft missed the first approach, the pilots attempted to go around, make a turn and approach again. A wing conacted the trees however, bringing the aircraft down. The TU-154M crashed and caught fire. All passengers and crew members are reported dead, including the President, his wife, several Members of Parliament, President of the National Bank of Poland, Chief of General Staff, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Russian sources report 132 people were on board the plane.
Weather reports at 08:00 CET indicated a temperature at Smolensk of 1°C, Dew Point:1°C, wind from 140 degrees at 6 knots, Pressure: 1026 hPa, heavy fog.