Lost on the ILS - Curt Lewis

Incident: Yan B734 at Chisinau on Apr 19th 2019, crew struggles with ATC instructions

A Yanair Boeing 737-400 on behalf of Air Moldova, registration UR-CQX performing flight 9U-746 from Istanbul (Turkey) to Chisinau (Moldova), was on approach to Chisinau's runway 08 cleared to descend to FL070 expecting radar vectors for an ILS approach to runway 08, when the crew deviated from the route prompting ATC to query "confirm you are inbound to intermediate fix runway 08" which the crew affirmed. Subsequently the aircraft was cleared to descend to 2500 feet on QNH 1025 and made an unexpected 60 degrees right turn prompting ATC to query "what is the reason to fly your current heading" and turn the aircraft left back onto course via radar vector. The aircraft descended below minimum radar vectoring altitude, ATC instructed the aircraft to climb back to 2500 feet. ATC queried "is everything okay on board, do you need assistance?", the crew affirmed everything okay but didn't sound completely okay. The aircraft was cleared to join the localizer to runway 08, however, went straight through the localizer prompting ATC to cancel the ILS approach clearance and to turn the aircraft off the approach towards the south. The crew however did not follow that turn but aligned with the runway, was cleared for a visual approach to runway 08, descended rapidly from 2500 feet at about 4.5nm out and landed safely on runway 08. Immediately after landing the crew requested ambulances urgently to meet the aircraft. Air Modova said in a public comment, that the crew was in compliance with ATC instructions at all times and was just navigating around bad weather. Nonetheless, an internal investigation has been launched. Moldavia's Civil Aviation Authority opened an investigation into the occurrence.