What happened
On the early morning of the accident, a cargo flight departed from Moscow-Domodedovo Airport runway 32C at 04:15 local time. The flight was destined for Komsomolsk-on-Amur, with planned stops in Omsk and Bratsk, transporting 9,043 kilograms of equipment intended for the Gagarin Aircraft Manufacturing Plant. The aircraft was operated by a crew of seven.
During the initial climb phase, while maintaining a speed of 295 km/h at an altitude of approximately 70 to 75 meters, the aircraft encountered a flock of birds. The impact affected both engines number 3 and 4. Following the strike, the two right-side engines ceased operation and the propellers entered the autofeather position. This loss of power caused the aircraft to lose airspeed and develop a 45-degree right bank. The aircraft then entered an uncontrolled descent, eventually impacting a forested area roughly 4 km from the airport. The impact was followed by a post-crash fire that consumed the airframe.
Findings
- The aircraft was a cargo aircraft (type not specified in source).
- The crash resulted in 7 fatalities.
- The primary cause of the engine failure was a bird strike involving both engines 3 and 4.