What happened
After completing a lengthy mission, the flight crew performed a brief stopover at Moscow-Sheremelyetovo. Prior to departing for their final destination at Moscow-Bykovo, the captain decided against refueling the aircraft type/model despite recognizing that fuel reserves had reached low levels.
During the subsequent flight, the aircraft encountered significant headwinds. Weather conditions worsened as snowfall and low cloud cover reduced visibility. Due to these deteriorating meteorological conditions, the crew was instructed to deviate from a direct approach and follow an alternative landing procedure. Shortly after this period, both engines ceased functioning because of fuel exhaustion.
To avoid further catastrophe, the crew executed a belly landing in an open field situated approximately 3 km from the Bykovo Airport perimeter. The impact resulted in the aircraft being damaged beyond repair. All five crew members survived the incident, sustaining only minor injuries.
Findings
The investigation determined that the primary reason for the dual engine failure was the depletion of available fuel during the flight.