Polish AF Tu-154 Crash In Smolensk

David_itl · Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:38 am

BBC has breaking news that plane with the Polish President has crashed on approach to Smolensk.

And a brief story has now been put up but I expect will be updated with the tragic news.

[Edited 2010-04-10 00:45:02]

LOT767SP-LPA · Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:42 am

87 dead

very sad day for poland

N14AZ · Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:49 am

Oh my God.... What type of airplane did he use?

CPH-R · Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:49 am

Would this have been a chartered LOT plane, or does the Polish Air Force still have their Tu154?

Aeroflot777 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:50 am

Hardly any details out yet. I hope it's not going to get worse

RIP to the victims!

Aeroflot777

Aeroflot777 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:54 am

Russian media reporting the TU-154 went down on landing into Smolensk. President was confirmed on board, and no survivors are found. Everyone perished.

Aeroflot777

f.pier · Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:55 am

RIP. Very sad news.
What type of aircraft was it?

tobseren · Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:56 am

Quoting CPH-R (Reply 3):
Would this have been a chartered LOT plane, or does the Polish Air Force still have their Tu154?

I think it is the Tu-154, the last picture taken of the Polish Tupolev on airliners.net is from 25th of March 2010.

Sad situation, RIP.

Aeroflot777 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:58 am

http://gazeta.ru/news/lastnews/2010/04/10/n_1481368.shtml

Press is mentioning that Polish teams say the aircraft crashed on approach, right on final it hit a tree and then went on fire by the time it hit the runway. Doesn't seem good. But media can be wrong as usual. Let's hope.

Danny · Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:59 am

It was a Tu 154M like this:

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Rafael Nunes

The President of Poland with his wife and many officials on board. RIP

[Edited 2010-04-10 01:03:11]

LTU932 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:59 am

No information on the aircraft. I just tuned in to N24 but no information so far except for the breaking news ticker. Any additional information available says that 84 people died in the crash, including Lech Kaczynski and his wife.

Unless he always travels with a big staff, my guess is that the aircraft was civilian.

EDIT: N24 is now presuming that it was indeed the Presidential Tu-154. They also say that the landing was apparently in the fog.

[Edited 2010-04-10 01:02:58]

[Edited 2010-04-10 01:03:35]

MadameConcorde · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:01 am

"MOSCOW (BNO NEWS) -- Reports say a plane carrying Polish President Lech Kaczynski has crashed at Smolensk Airport in Russia's Smolensk Oblast.

http://wireupdate.com/wires/2914/bno-eu-int-bulletin-11/"

Polish President Lech Kaczynski 'in plane crash'
Russia map

A plane carrying Polish President Lech Kaczynski has crashed near a Russian airport, officials say.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8612825.stm

Unconfirmed but apparently the President is dead among at least 80 others

RIP Mr President and all those who died in the crash.

FlySSC · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:02 am

Quoting N14AZ (Reply 2):
What type of airplane did he use?

If at least 87 people were on board, it can't be the Yak-40. so I guess it's probably a Tu-154.

Just reported on the news by the Polish Authorities : No survivors. The President of Poland and several Polish Officials and families were on board.
Mr Kaczynski was due to visit Smolensk to mark the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre, when Soviet troops killed thousands of Poles.

The plane hit trees on approach, crashed and caught fire.

[Edited 2010-04-10 01:05:46]

OA260 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:02 am

Aircraft was trying to land in heavy fog , President was on his way to attend a memorial service for Polish troops.

Danny · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:04 am

Quoting oa260 (Reply 13):
Aircraft was trying to land in heavy fog , President was on his way to attend a memorial service for Polish troops.

It was 70th anniversary of Katyn masacre, hence many other officials were with him.

CPH-R · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:04 am

A very sad day indeed, RIP to all the victims

Viper911 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:06 am

Israeli Media is stating that the aircraft crashed about 1.5km short of the runway, the aircraft in question is indeed a Polish TU-154

Qatara340 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:06 am

AlJazeera indicates that the Polish President and his wife has died in the crash! RIP

Its his private Presidential Plane.

f.pier · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:06 am

I've just heard there were 132 pax onboard.

Danny · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:12 am

Quoting QatarA340 (Reply 17):
AlJazeera indicates that the Polish President and his wife has died in the crash! RIP

Its his private Presidential Plane.

It was a military plane used by officials, not his private one.

Quoting f.pier (Reply 18):
I've just heard there were 132 pax onboard.

This aircraft only had 87 seats.

[Edited 2010-04-10 01:29:43]

BritishWorld · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:12 am

Regrettably, Sky News is also now reporting that the President was indeed killed in the crash. Deeply shocking news; it is a terrible day for any nation when it loses its leader.

EBGARN · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:13 am

Swedish media is reporting that also the head of the Polish central bank, the head of the Polish army, and the deputy foreign minister were on board.

A very sad day indeed!

fauzi · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:13 am

Yeah I just heard that too, but nothing official on CNN yet... Hope everything is alright

Any idea what went wrong?

andrewuber · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:14 am

MSNBC is reporting 132 were aboard - 87 dead - no survivors...... Obviously still a lot of confusion at this point.

Russian news agencies reported at least 87 people died in the crash near Smolensk airport in western Russia, citing the Russian Emergencies Ministry. They reported 132 people were aboard the Tupolev Tu-154.

Polish state news agency PAP said there were no survivors.

People often post what they see in the media, and we all know the media doesn't know what they're doing when it comes to aviation.

RIP to all aboard, what a sad day for Poland.

View Large View Medium
Click here for bigger photo!

Photo © Thomas Brackx

[Edited 2010-04-10 01:35:36]

kiwiandrew · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:14 am

Quoting Danny (Reply 19):

It was a military plane used by officials

In that case isn't this thread in the wrong forum ? In any case , even though it is in the wrong forum this is very sad news . Sympathies to the people of Poland .

[Edited 2010-04-10 01:15:38]

Viper911 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:18 am

Quoting Fauzi (Reply 22):
Any idea what went wrong?

Israeli media states that there was a heavy fog in the area, someone can confirm that? a very sad day indeed

airtechy · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:22 am

Google Earth shows two airports nearby..neither of which appear to have precision landing devices...ie ILS structures. Maybe they were making a non-precision approach and undershot.

CPH-R · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:29 am

Quoting kiwiandrew (Reply 24):
In that case isn't this thread in the wrong forum ?

I think the general interest in the civilian aspect of this crash warrants that it stays here.

Especially since it looks like a good chunk of the Polish leadership has just been wiped out. The president, the leader of the opposition, the deputy secretary of state, the leader of the National Security Bureau, the Chief of Staff, and the list goes on.

[Edited 2010-04-10 01:30:09]

BritishWorld · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:29 am

Quoting AndrewUber (Reply 23):
Be nice - I doubt it was intentional. People often post what they see in the media, and we all know the media doesn't know what they're doing when it comes to aviation.

Quite true - and further to my post about Sky News' reporting of the President's "confirmed" death, I should just clarify that that assertion is coming from reports from Smolensk government officials that there were apparently no survivors. No word of who these officials might be, and how in the loop they are on these details, so of course - as with all breaking news situations - we must treat all news that comes out as being dubious until confirmed by multiple reliable sources.

For what it's worth, BBC News has also just mentioned claims by Russian news agencies that there were 132 people on board, but they've rightly labelled that claim as 'unconfirmed' and their own reportage is sticking with the total number of souls on board as 87.

On a personal note, I'd also like to add my sympathies to the people of Poland, and indeed to our Polish friends here on A.net for the loss to their nation; perhaps some here may have disagreed with the policies of President Kaczynski, but a national and human tragedy such as this really does transcend political divides in civilised societies. One hopes that the Polish people will find comfort in finding some unity with each other and with their global friends as the process of national healing begins in the wake of this disaster.

christopherwoo · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:32 am

Just heard from my polish friend all passengers were officials, the top 80 in the country including popes and diplomats.... bad day

CPH-R · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:32 am

Danish Tv-2 News is currently showing pictures from Polish TV, who apparently has found a camera crew who are at the scene. Plenty of debris spread around, with nothing immediately recognisable apart from the tail which has apparently survived in one piece. A couple of small fires are being put out by the firefighters who are on the scene.

Not sure if it's due to the fires, but it does appear to be a bit foggy.

andrej · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:34 am

Al Jazeera (ENG) just showed latest images. The crash site is in woods, the weather seemed foggy, and it does look indeed like Tu-154.

Really sad news indeed.

Cheers,
Andrej

EDICHC · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:37 am

Truly shocking news...condolences to all Polish A-netters.

A terrible human tragedy, but by the sounds of it there will be a huge political void in Poland once the enormity of this sinks in.

MadameConcorde · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:39 am

Quoting CPH-R (Reply 27):
it looks like a good chunk of the Polish leadership has just been wiped out. The president, the leader of the opposition, the secretary of state, the leader of the National Security Bureau, the Chief of Staff, and the list goes on.

Why did they put them all on one plane is one thing I can't understand.
My deep respect goes to the people and the Nation of Poland.

FlySSC · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:40 am

Quoting f.pier (Reply 18):
I've just heard there were 132 pax onboard.

Quoting Danny (Reply 19):

This aircraft only had 87 seats.

f.pier is right.

132 are now confirmed dead including the President.

aaexp · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:44 am

Quoting Christopherwoo (Reply 29):
the top 80 in the country including popes and diplomats.... bad day

"popes" ......As far as I know, there is only one Pope

keesje · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:45 am

"A Polish government official said the head of the Polish army and the head of the presidential administration were also on board the plane, along with the president's wife and families of other senior officials. The plane was also carrying the governor of Poland's central bank, Slawomir Skrzypek."

RIP

OA260 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:46 am

Quoting FlySSC (Reply 34):
f.pier is right.

132 are now confirmed dead including the President.

We must be careful with the figures nothing confirmed and conflicting reports according to Sky News, so figures not exact yet.

FlySSC · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:52 am

Quoting oa260 (Reply 37):
Quoting FlySSC (Reply 34):
f.pier is right.

132 are now confirmed dead including the President.

We must be careful with the figures nothing confirmed and conflicting reports according to Sky News, so figures not exact yet.

Reuters is also now talking about 132 dead ... but you are right. We must be careful.
Some journalists are already reporting the plane crashed during its 4th attempt to land at Smolensk ... how can they know ?

We just saw the first image of the Crash on the French T.V, some debris were still on fire ...

milan320 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:55 am

Read in a Polish newspaper that the plane was on approach, but due to heavy fog, declared missed approach and proceeded with the go-around. Whilst turning, it got caught on some trees. This according some Russian officials that the paper was quoting.

I guess the plane was about 40 years old and from what I read, the Polish government recently just ordered new executive planes.

/Milan320

OA260 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:59 am

I wonder if it was this one I photographed on my last trip to WAW.

.

mxp · Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:02 am

This is indeed a horrible news

Rip to alll and condolances to the families

Alberto

acabgd · Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:02 am

Quoting milan320 (Reply 39):
I guess the plane was about 40 years old

I don't know why you "guess" it was 40 years old?

It was produced in 1990, delivered July 1990.

acabgd · Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:04 am

Quoting oa260 (Reply 40):
I wonder if it was this one I photographed on my last trip to WAW

If the registration is 101 (can't really see on this photo) then - yes, that's the one.

JoKeR · Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:08 am

Serbian TV as well as the BBC confirm that the aircraft was instructed to divert to Moscow due to poor visibility but that the pilot elected to go ahead and attempt to land.

Danny · Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:10 am

Quoting FlySSC (Reply 38):
Reuters is also now talking about 132 dead ... but you are right. We must be careful.

The spokeperson for Polish Foreign Affair Ministy has just confIrmed that there were 88 names on the passenger's list.

OV735 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:12 am

Horrible news. Sad day in Poland today.

It is tragic and ironic that a disaster like this struck when the delegation was going to commemorate the events of Katyn.

Does anyone know, if the aircraft was 101 or 102? No luck finding a metar for Smolensk - the airport doesn't even seem to have an ICAO designator. I figure an ILS is also bit too much to be expected.

SOBHI51 · Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:18 am

Quoting JoKeR (Reply 44):
Serbian TV as well as the BBC confirm that the aircraft was instructed to divert to Moscow due to poor visibility but that the pilot elected to go ahead and attempt to land.

Question.
If you are flying the president of a country, who does have the final word, the captain or the president, to divert or not?

fatmirjusufi · Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:18 am

Sad news.

RIP to all

Preliminary accident description
http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20100410-0

Fatmir

j0rdan · Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:18 am

Terrible news, very sad day in Poland. Sad

Heres a news link for anybody intrested. (with video)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8612825.stm]

RIP

jordan

[Edited 2010-04-10 02:21:52]

[Edited 2010-04-10 02:23:11]

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