What happened
During a flight proceeding from Vinnitsa toward Moscow-Bykovo, an aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 5,700 meters when a sudden mechanical malfunction occurred. Upon the crew disengaging the autopilot, the MP-100 rudder trimming device experienced a significant failure. Specifically, the sliding cylinder of the device deployed by 22.5 mm, which triggered an immediate and extreme movement of the rudder to the right. The rudder reached its maximum deflection of 25° in only one second.
This sudden aerodynamic shift caused the aircraft to lose control and enter a spin. The plane descended at a 50° nose-down angle with a speed of 350 km/h, eventually impacting a field located approximately 500 meters southeast of Viktorivka, which is situated 14.8 km southeast of Chernihiv Airport. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, and there were 52 fatalities among the occupants.
Findings
The investigation into the crash focused on the malfunction of the rudder trimming mechanism during the cruise phase. It was determined that the primary factor was a failure of the rudder trimming device. Investigators noted two potential origins for this failure: an underlying technical fault within the electrical system or the possibility that a crew member inadvertently applied pressure to the trim control switch while the autopilot remained engaged.