Status:	Final
Date:	24 FEB 1999
Time:	16:34
Type:	Tupolev 154M
Operator:	China Southwest Airlines
Registration:	B-2622
C/n / msn:	90A-846
First flight:	1990
Total airframe hrs:	14135
Cycles:	7748
Engines:	3 Soloviev D-30KU-154-II
Crew:	Fatalities: 11 / Occupants: 11
Passengers:	Fatalities: 50 / Occupants: 50
Total:	Fatalities: 61 / Occupants: 61
Airplane damage:	Written off
Airplane fate:	Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location:	Ruian (China)
Phase:	Approach (APR)
Nature:	Domestic Scheduled Passenger
Departure airport:	Chengdu Airport (CTU/ZUUU), China
Destination airport:	Wenzhou Airport (WNZ/ZSWZ), China
Flightnumber:	4509

Narrative:
The aircraft was on a flight from Chengdu to Wenzhou and was approaching Wenzhou when, at 1000m, the flaps were extended. At that moment, the aircraft suddenly pitched down and dove into the ground out of control. The Tupolev crashed into a farm field and exploded, causing a 200x100 feet hole in the ground. Several farmers were injured by the flying debris.

PROBABLE CAUSE: A self-locking nut, other than castle nut with cotter pin as specified, had been installed at the bolt for connection between pull rod and bellcranck in the elevator control system. The nut screwed off, resulting in bolt loss, which led to the loss of pitch control.

Events:

Sources:
» ICAO Adrep
» Soviet Transports
Sample newspaper article from Newspaperarchive.com