Created Tuesday, Dec 29th 2020 15:54Z, last updated Tuesday, Dec 29th 2020 21:30Z
An AeroBratsk Yakovlev Yak-40, registration RA-87397 performing a flight from Bratsk to Olekminsk (Russia) with 25 shift workers and 4 crew, was on approach to Olekminsk's runway 26R at 12:37L (03:37Z) but landed on the unfinished runway 26L at Olekminsk in poor visibility and came to a safe stop. There were no injuries and no damage to the aircraft.
The aircraft was able to return to Bratsk several hours after landing.
The information from Olekminsk are sketchy at the very best. It is not known, which runway the aircraft was approaching and which runway it landed on, also, the official AIP of Russia do not make clear that there is a runway under construction in Olekminsk, no NOTAMs, Amendments or Supplements show such information, too. The Aerodrome chart shows only one runway, which however is named 08L/26R on the chart with markings for a runway 08R/26L visible on the charts with what looks like multiple parts of a runway between runway 08L/26R and the apron. The only instrument approach procedures are a dual NDB approach to runway 26R and a "back course" dual NDB approach to runway 08L.
Local media however reported that construction of a runway began in 2019, the existing runway (labelled 08L/26R) is going to be resurfaced. A video of the situation after landing seems to suggest the aircraft was on approach to runway 26R.
A local TV station later reported that the captain of the flight mistook a part of the runway under construction for the active one due to snow drift. This suggests the aircraft actually landed on the about 600 meter long part of the runway 26L as indicated on the aerodrome chart. The video showing the aftermath of the landing on second look shows another aircraft on final approach to runway 26R confirming the occurrence aircraft landed on the 600 meter strip of runway 26L.
Metars:
UEMO 280330Z 25003G08MPS 5000 -SN DRSN NSC M30/M32 Q1032 R26R/891094 NOSIG RMK QFE754=
Screenshot out of aftermath video showing the other aircraft on approach to 26R (Video: BAZA):
The dual NDB approach to runway 26R (Graphics: AIP Russia):
Aerodrome Chart (Graphics: AIP Russia):
