Tupolev TU-154 crash, Dec 15, 1997 (85 killed), Sharjah
Tupolev TU-154 accident on December 15, 1997 near Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates with 85 fatalities. Cause: Controlled flight into terrain: the...
- Date: December 15, 1997
- Aircraft: Tupolev TU-154
- Location: Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
- Fatalities: 85
- Phase of flight: Approach and landing
- Cause: Controlled flight into terrain: the crew failed to follow the published approach procedure and continued below minimum altitude, with fatigue and poor crew coordination as factors.
Tajikistan Airlines Flight 3183, a Tu-154 from Dushanbe, descended toward Sharjah at night in limited visibility and turbulence. The crew did not report passing 1,500 ft, descended below minimum altitude and struck the ground about 13 km short of the runway, where the aircraft burned. One crew member survived.