Malév Hungarian Airlines - Magyar Légiközlekedési Vallalat

Tupolev TU-154

Originally, flight MA262 from Budapest to Thessaloniki should be performed by a Boeing 737-300 HA-LES but due to technical problems, a Tupolev TU-154B-2 was dispatched. Following an uneventful flight, the crew was cleared for a VOR/DME approach to runway 34 followed by a visual circle to land on runway 28 as the runway 34 was closed to traffic due to construction works. Because a Boeing 757 slowed to vacate the runway after landing, ATC instructed the crew to extend the downwind leg for runway 28. For unknown reasons, the crew failed to comply with this instructions and performed 'S'. On final approach, the tower controller informed the crew that he forgot to lower the undercarriage. The captain increased engine power and initiated a go-around procedure but this decision was too late. The aircraft continued to descend and struck the runway surface in a gear-up configuration at 1657LT. The aircraft suffered substantial damages but the crew managed to go-around and to follow a holding pattern. A safe landing was completed at 1715LT. All 94 occupants evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Tupolev TU-154

The descent to Prague-Ruzyne Airport was completed in marginal weather conditions with limited visibility. On final approach the airplane was too high on the glide and the crew decided to continue. At a height of about 5 meters, the crew deployed de spoilers and reduced the engine power, causing the airplane to descent abruptly. It struck the runway surface with a positive acceleration of 4 g and broke in two before coming to rest in the center of the runway. All 81 occupants were evacuated, among them 40 were injured. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Ilyushin II-18

The approach to Bucharest-Otopeni Airport was completed in heavy rain falls. After landing, the crew vacated runway and was taxiing when the airplane collided with two trucks parked on the taxiway. The pilot stopped the airplane and all occupants were evacuated safely. There were no injuries but the aircraft was damaged beyond repair. It was reported that both truck drivers stopped their vehicles at an unauthorized position.

Tupolev TU-134

While descending to Bucharest-Otopeni Airport at an altitude of 4,000 feet, the crew was cleared for a straight-in approach to runway 26 and to descend to 2,000 feet. The airplane lost height and struck the ground. It lost its undercarriage and slid for few hundred meters before coming to rest in flames in an open field located 6,3 km southwest of Urziceni, about 37 km northeast of Otopeni Airport. All eight crew members and 21 passengers were killed while 24 other people were injured. The aircraft was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire.

Tupolev TU-154

Following an uneventful flight from Budapest, the crew was cleared to descend to an altitude of 6,000 feet. By night, the airplane went out of control and crashed in unclear circumstances into the Mediterranean Sea about 10 km off Beirut. Debris were found floating on water and none of the 60 occupants survived. At the time of the accident, weather conditions were considered as good.

Ilyushin II-18

The approach to Budapest-Ferihegy Airport runway 31L was initiated in poor weather conditions with limited visibility due to fog. On short final, the pilot-in-command elected to make a go-around when the airplane struck the ground and crashed 1,360 meters short of runway 31L threshold and 120 meters to the left of its centerline. The airplane crashed and burned and all nine crew members who were completing a ferry flight from Berlin-Schönefeld Airport were killed. At the time of the accident, the horizontal visibility was reported to be 300 meters with a 1,500 meters RVR for runway 31L. The vertical visibility was 30 meters.

Tupolev TU-134

On approach to Kiev-Borispol Airport in poor weather conditions, the crew encountered technical problems with the generator that failed and he was forced to switch to auxiliary batteries. Due to limited visibility caused by foggy conditions, the crew made a go-around. Few minutes later, a second attempt to land was also abandoned. During the third approach, the airplane crashed in a field located few km short of runway and was totally destroyed upon impact. All 49 occupants were killed.

Ilyushin II-18

Following an uneventful flight from Oslo, the crew started the descent to Copenhagen-Kastrup Airport in marginal weather conditions. The crew was cleared to descend to 5,000 feet then 1,500 feet when he was trying to intercept the ILS of runway 22L. On final, the four engine aircraft nosed down and plunged into the Øresund few hundred yards off the Saltholm Island. Rescuers were able to evacuate 3 passengers while 31 other occupants were killed. Three days later, one of the survivor died from his injuries.

Tupolev TU-134

The crew completed the approach in rain falls. After touchdown, the airplane was unable to stop within the remaining distance and overran. While contacting soft ground, the left main gear and the nose gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest down a bank. All occupants escaped uninjured except the navigator who was seating in the nose of the airplane.

Ilyushin II-18

Malev Airlines Flight 355 was a scheduled international transportation service from Budapest to Frankfurt and Parts. The flight departed Budapest for Frankfurt at 0744 hours GMT. The crew reported to the Frankfurt meteorological office for briefing at 0950 hours when the pilot's attention was drawn to the frequent occurrences of log and stratus cloud, and the possibility of light icing in stratus cloud The crew remained in the meteorological office for two hours checking successive weather reports from Orly and Le Bourget Airports. There were 13 passengers and a crew aboard when the flight departed Frankfurt for Le Bourget with the pilot-in-command occupying the left-hand seat. The first radio contact with North Area Control Centre was made at 1332 hours when the flight reported it had passed over Luxembourg at 1331 hours at flight level 180 and estimated the next reporting point MY at 1335 hours. It was then Instructed to report over MY, CH and BE. From 1344:20 hours to 1355:20 hours the flight received progressive descent clearances down to 1800 feet. At 1348:50 when the aircraft reported over CH, it was instructed to proceed to BN. However, at 1354:40 when reporting approaching BN the controller stated that it was cleared to BE and not to BN. This was acknowledged by the aircraft without repeating the message. At 1356:10 hours the flight was cleared by Le Bourget Approach for final approach. At 1356:10 the controller asked the aircraft whether it was heading BE or UN. Ten seconds later the aircraft confirmed that it was heading for BN and was then requested again to proceed to BE. The aircraft was instructed to call when over BE and was advised that it was number 2 to land. Confirmation of the QNH (altimeter setting) was given to the aircraft, and it was cleared for final approach at 1359 hours. At 1401:40 Le Bourget Approach called the aircraft, and the aircraft reported on final and stated it would call "over BE". The controller gave the aircraft its position as 2 miles east of BE and asked the pilot if he was making an ILS approach. This was confirmed. At 1405:10 hours the aircraft contacted the tower and advised it would reach BE at 1800 feet and was making an ILS approach on runway 25. At 1405:30 hours the aircraft reported over BE. It should then have been in level flight with 15deg of flap, at about 500 m (1500 ft) and at a speed of 310-320 km/h. There was no further radio contact between the aircraft and the tower although the aircraft should have reported over the outer marker at approximately 300 m (900 ft). At 1421 hours the airport authorities were informed by the police that the aircraft had crashed about 8OO m beyond the outer marker and about 135 m to the right of the ILS centreline.

Douglas C-47 Skytrain (DC-3)

The aircraft was completing a local sightseeing flight over Budapest when descending to Ferihegy Airport, the airplane crashed onto a building and was destroyed by impact forces and a post crash fire. All 27 occupants and three people on the ground were killed.

Lisunov LI-2

Few minutes after takeoff from Budapest-Ferihegy Airport, the crew reported engine problems and received the permission to return for a safe landing. On short final, the airplane stalled and crashed few dozen yards short of runway 31L. All occupants were evacuated safely while the aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Lisunov LI-2

En route from Budapest to Prague, the crew encountered icing conditions and subsequently some difficulties. The captain decided to reduce his altitude and attempted an emergency landing near Polná. Upon landing in a snow covered field, the airplane lost its undercarriage and slid for dozen yards before coming to rest with both wings bent. All 33 occupants were evacuated and a Finnish female passenger was seriously injured.

Lisunov LI-2

En route from Budapest to Prague, the crew encountered icing conditions and subsequently some difficulties. The captain decided to reduce his altitude and attempted an emergency landing near Bratronov, south of Pardubice. The aircraft belly landed in a snow covered field and slid for dozen yards before coming to rest with its left engine sheared off. All 19 occupants were uninjured.