Crash: Henan Airlines E190 at Yichun on Aug 24th 2010, impacted terrain short of runway and burst into flames
A Henan Airlines (former Kunpeng Airlines) Embraer ERJ-190, registration B-3130 performing flight VD-8387 from Harbin to Yichun (China) with 91 passengers and 5 crew, burst into flames after the aircraft impacted terrain short of landing runway 30 at 21:36L (13:36Z). 42 people perished, 7 people received serious injuries and 47 minor injuries. All injured have been taken to local hospitals.
Yichun's emergency services said, that 43 bodies were recovered, 53 people were rescued alive. The black boxes have been recovered with no visible damage.
China's Civil Aviation Authority (CAAC)said shortly after the crash, the Embraer ERJ-190 registration B-3130 with 91 passengers (thereof 5 children) and 5 crew came to a rest approx. 1500 meters from the runway while landing at 21:36L, more than 40 people have been rescued, rescue operations continue. An accident investigation team has been dispatched to Yichun.
On Aug 25th the CAAC said, that 42 people died and 54 survived. The black boxes have been recovered and have been sent to Beijing for analysis.
Local Authorities said on Aug 25th, that visibility at the time of the accident was less than 300 meters (1000 feet) due to fog. The airplane was cleared to land, the crew reported they had the approach lights in sight. The captain of the flight is among the survivors.
The NTSB reported on Aug 26th, that the Embraer ERJ-190 registration B-3130 (engines CF34) impacted terrain about 1500 meters short of runway 30 resulting in 42 fatalities, 7 serious and 47 minor injuries. The NTSB assigned an Accredited Representative to assist the investigation as State of engine design and manufacture.
Shenzhen Airlines, parent company of Henan Airlines, confirmed the accident and said, there were 91 passengers and 5 crew on board.
Aviation Sources in China said on Aug 24th, that at the time of the accident fog prevailed with a visibility of 300 meters. The airplane touched down 1000 meters from the runway.
A passenger said, that it had been a very smooth flight when the airplane touched down hard and was rocked around. The airplane was distorted and holes were in the fuselage after it came to a stand still. The passenger climbed out of a hole. About 1 or 2 minutes after stand still the airplane erupted in huge ball of fire.
Footage on state-run TV station CCTV shows the airplane came to rest in rugged brushland terrain approximately 500 meters before the runway and some distance from the approach lights well aligned with the runway centerline. The airplane had touched down some distance further out according to the wreckage trail.
Yichun's Lindu Airport [ZYLD] in the Heilongjiang province of China about 165nm northeast of Harbin Airport was opened to operation only on Aug 27th 2009 (construction began in 2008 ), the current route operated is Beijing-Harbin-Yichun. The airport, located 9km (4.8nm) from the city center in the Yichun Forest at approximate coordinates N47.8 E129.0, is capable to accept Airbus A320, Boeing 737 and similiar aircraft with a runway length of 2300 meters (7540 feet) and width of 45 meters (150 feet). The runway 12/30 features PAPIs for both ends, VOR/DME and NDB approaches are available for both ends.
The local weather station reported fair weather (few cloud), 20km visibility, calm winds (<4 knots), temperature at 27 degrees C and dew point at 24 degrees C with 81% humidity two hours prior to the accident. 5 hours prior to the accident the station reported light rainshowers at 30km visibility, temperature at 30 degrees C with the dew point at 26 degrees C (71% humidity).
Metars for Yichun's Lindu Airport:
ZYLD 241600Z 00000MPS 0600 FG NSC 13/13 Q1015 =
ZYLD 241500Z 00000MPS 0600 FG NSC 13/13 Q1015 =
ZYLD 241400Z 15001MPS 1000 BR NSC 12/12 Q1014 =
ZYLD 241300Z 15001MPS 8000 NSC 13/13 Q1014 =