China Southwest Airlines Flight 4509

China Southwest Airlines Flight 4509 (SZ4509) was a flight from Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, Sichuan to Wenzhou Yongqiang Airport, Zhejiang. On February 24, 1999 it crashed into a field while on approach to Wenzhou Airport, killing all 61 passengers and crew members on board. Witnesses saw the plane nose dive into the ground from an altitude of 2,300 feet and explode.

Following the incident all Tupolev Tu-154 aircraft in China were taken out of service.

Aircraft

• Model: Tupolev Tu-154M
• Registration:
• Serial Number: 90A-846
• Engine: Soloviev D-30
• Year of Delivery: 1990

Crew members

• Captain: Yao Fuchen (姚福臣);
• First Officer: Xue Mao (薛冒);
• Flight Engineer: Guo Shuming (郭树铭);
• Flight Navigator: Lang Zhanfeng (郎占锋).

Cause

Inaccurate locknuts had been installed in the elevator operating system. These spun out during the flight, leaving the elevator uncontrollable.

See also

• China Southwest Airlines
• List of notable accidents and incidents on commercial aircraft

External links

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