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2010 Polish Air Force Tu-154 crash facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Katastrofa w Smoleńsku
Wreckage of the accident

The 2010 Polish Air Force Tu-154 crash happened on April 10, 2010. A special plane, a Tupolev Tu-154M, from the Polish Air Force crashed. This accident took place near the city of Smolensk, Russia. Sadly, all 96 people on board died in the crash.

Among those who died were very important people. These included the President of Poland, Lech Kaczyński, and his wife, Maria Kaczyńska. The former President of Poland Ryszard Kaczorowski also died. Many members of the Polish parliament were on the plane too. There were also relatives of victims from the Katyn massacre.

The group was flying from Warsaw, the capital of Poland. They were going to an event to remember the 70th anniversary of the Katyn massacre. The crash site was about 19 kilometers (12 miles) west of Smolensk.

What Happened During the Flight?

The pilots tried to land at Smolensk North Airport. This airport used to be a military airbase. There was a very thick fog, which made it hard to see. Visibility was only about 500 meters (1,600 feet).

The plane was flying too low as it got close to the runway. This happened because of unclear instructions from the air traffic controller. The plane hit trees in the fog. It then flipped over and crashed into the ground. The plane broke into many pieces. It stopped about 200 meters (660 feet) before the runway in a wooded area.

Images for kids

  • Tu-154-crash-in-smolensk-20100410-08

    Russian servicemen, accompanied by a policeman, twist bulbs into the approach lights of Smolensk North Airport's runway, hours after the crash of the Tu-154

  • Polish Air Force Tupolev Tu-154 Dmitry Karpezo-2

    101, the aircraft involved in the accident, seen in 2008

  • Polish Air Force Tupolev Tu-154M Lebeda

    101 landing at Prague Airport less than two days before the accident

  • Warsaw National Tragedy 2010-04-10 (4)

    Crowds on the Royal Route, Warsaw

  • Lublin after president Lech Kaczyński's plane crash, New Town Hall (02)

    Flowers and candles in front of Lublin town hall

  • Tu-154-crash-in-smolensk-20100410-13

    Improvised memorial at the Russian crash site

  • Secretary Clinton Lays a Wreath at the Katyn Cross

    United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton lays a wreath at the Katyn Cross

  • Official mourning after 2010 Polish plane crash in Smolensk map

    Countries with official mourning

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Accidente del Tu-154 de la Fuerza Aérea de Polonia para niños

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