Flight Details
On 15 August 2019, an Airbus A321 (registration VQ-BOZ) operated by Ural Airlines was conducting regular passenger flight SZR178 from Zhukovsky Airport (UUBW) to Simferopol Airport (URFF). The aircraft carried 226 passengers and 1,752 kg of baggage, with no cargo. Total fuel load was 15,936 kg, resulting in a takeoff weight of 82,167 kg and a center of gravity of 25.7% MAC, both within the aircraft's limitations.
Pre-Flight Events
The aircraft had landed from a previous flight at 01:31, operated by a different crew. No further takeoffs or landings occurred at the airport before the accident flight. The flight crew passed a pre-flight medical examination between 01:42 and 01:57 at the Zhukovsky airport medical station and were cleared for duty. The aircraft had undergone daily check maintenance (DY) on 14 August 2019 by FL Technic under work order OZD283Aug.
Takeoff and Bird Strike
At 03:12, the crew commenced takeoff from runway 12. The tower controller warned the crew about the possibility of bird overflights. Immediately after liftoff, approximately 2 km from the departure end of the runway, the aircraft collided with a flock of birds. Multiple bird fragments were later found on various parts of the aircraft and on the ground.
Engine Response
Flight data recorders registered changes in the operating modes of both engines. The crew continued the takeoff.