Background
The crew, comprising seven pilots under supervision and four instructors, were conducting training flights at Chișinău Airport. During the session, they performed several maneuvers before initiating a new approach with both engines No. 3 and No. 4 out of service.
Accident
On final approach, the aircraft banked left and lost height, crashing in a huge explosion a few kilometers short of the runway threshold. The aircraft was totally destroyed, and all 11 crew members were killed.
Investigation
The official investigation identified poor flying techniques on the part of the crew and wrong decisions taken during a missed approach under conditions that did not guarantee the continuation of the flight on two engines as the probable cause. Several contributing factors were cited: the approach speed and altitude were below prescribed values; the instructor's decision to initiate a go-around was too late; the action to increase power on both left engines was inadequate and insufficient; the aircraft deviated from the approach path by 1,850 meters; the runway at Chișinău Airport was 2,000 meters long, deemed insufficient for an approach with two engines out; and the crew failed to inform air traffic control that they were completing an approach with two engines inoperative.