In-Flight Radome Disintegration and Loss of Control During Certification Test Flight (CCCP-82002)

Incident Overview and Flight Profile The aircraft departed Kiev-Gostomel Airport on a test flight that was part of a certification programme. The flight carried nine crew members. While cruising at an altitude of 19,000 feet and a speed of 614 km/h, the radome disintegrated. ## In-Flight Damage and System Failures The radome disintegration caused the front cargo door to open and detach. Debris struck engine number 3, which stopped automatically. The aircraft then experienced strong vibrations and oscillations. The third hydraulic system failed, and the flight management system also failed. Under these conditions, the crew was unable to obtain valid data on speed, altitude, or angle of attack. ## Descent, Crash, and Casualties The aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent. The crew selected flaps down to reduce speed, but an asymmetrical release of the flaps increased the descent rate. The aircraft crashed in a wooded area located 1.5 km south of Korda and 43 km west of Gostomel Airport. The aircraft was destroyed. Eight occupants were killed. One engineer survived after bailing out during the descent but was seriously injured.