A commercial passenger aircraft, a Yak-40 operated by Russia’s Kamchatka Aviation Enterprise, executed an unscheduled go-around maneuver this Thursday, October 3, during its approach to an airport in the remote Kamchatka region. The decision by the flight crew was prompted by an unstable landing approach, raising questions about operational conditions in the far-flung territory. The incident was first reported by Kamchatka.Today, citing the Aviaincident Telegram channel.
The critical decision was made at approximately 3:43 PM local time by the pilot in command of the flight, which was en route from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky to Ossora. Faced with an unstabilized approach, the pilot initiated the go-around procedure, circling the aircraft to prepare for a second attempt. Fortunately, the Yak-40 successfully completed its landing a mere ten minutes later, and authorities confirmed that all passengers and crew aboard were unharmed throughout the incident.
This event marks the second such go-around incident involving a Kamchatka Aviation Enterprise Yak-40 on the exact same route within a short span. Just last month, on September 8, another aircraft of the same type and operator was forced to perform a go-around near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. That particular incident was attributed to the presence of birds on the runway, which presented a significant hazard to the landing aircraft.
While both occurrences concluded without any reported injuries or damage, they draw attention to the rigorous safety protocols and quick decision-making essential for aviation operations, especially in challenging geographical and environmental conditions such as those found across Russia’s vast Far East. These incidents highlight the constant vigilance required from flight crews and air traffic control to ensure passenger safety in commercial air travel.