What happened
A cargo flight operating between Krasnodar and Kyiv, transporting a shipment of fruits and vegetables, ended in an accident during the descent phase. In an effort to maximize the weight of the cargo, the crew had opted to carry a reduced amount of fuel for the journey. During the flight, the aircraft encountered significant headwinds, which prompted an initial plan to divert to Dnepropetrovsk Airport; however, the captain ultimately decided to proceed to the original destination.
While approaching Borispol Airport, the flight crew notified air traffic control of a low fuel state. In response, controllers cleared the aircraft for a straight-in approach to runway 36R. Despite this clearance, the captain chose to execute an approach toward runway 18L. During the short final stage of the approach, both engines ceased operation at the same time. This loss of power led to an aerodynamic stall, causing the aircraft type to strike the ground. The impact resulted in the separation of the undercarriage, and the wreckage came to a stop approximately 1,500 meters before reaching the runway threshold.
Findings
The accident resulted in one fatality and eight injuries. The investigation highlights that the crew's decision to carry less fuel to increase cargo capacity left the flight with minimal reserves when encountering unexpected weather conditions. The simultaneous failure of both engines during the final approach was the primary factor leading to the loss of control.