Accident
On a cargo flight from Moscow-Domodedovo Airport to Komsomolsk-on-Amur, with intermediate stops in Omsk and Bratsk, an aircraft carrying seven crew members and a load of 9,043 kilograms of equipment for the Gagarin Aircraft Manufacturing Plant collided with a flock of birds during initial climb. The accident occurred shortly after takeoff from runway 32C at 0415 local time.
Sequence of Events
While climbing at a height of approximately 70–75 meters and a speed of 295 km/h, the aircraft encountered a flock of birds that struck engines number 3 and 4. Almost simultaneously, both right engines stopped and their respective propellers autofeathered. The aircraft lost speed, rolled to the right to an angle of 45 degrees, and then entered an uncontrolled descent. It subsequently crashed in a wooded area located 4 kilometers from the airport and burst into flames. The aircraft was totally destroyed, and all seven occupants were killed.
Probable Cause
According to the official investigation, the probable cause of the accident was loss of control and subsequent ground impact during initial climb following the failure of both right engines due to a bird strike.