Night Takeoff Accident at Tarko-Sale Airport (CCCP-47695)

Accident Overview and Sequence of Events The incident occurred during a night departure from Tarko-Sale Airport. While the aircraft was climbing at an altitude of 120 meters and a speed of 295 km/h, the captain requested that the flaps be retracted. At that moment, the airplane began to descend at a rate of nine meters per second. The aircraft then rolled to the right by an angle of 30 degrees and struck trees at a speed of 365 km/h. The crash site was located 2,889 meters past the end of the runway, and the aircraft was destroyed in the impact. ## Casualties and Damage The accident resulted in the deaths of four crew members and 13 passengers. In addition, six other occupants sustained serious injuries. The aircraft was completely destroyed. ## Investigation and Probable Cause The official investigation was unable to determine the exact cause of the accident with certainty. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a red light facing the aircraft just prior to the crash. However, it was confirmed that there was no other traffic in the vicinity of the airport at the time. Investigators noted that the red light may have been a fire or a possible flare.