What happened
During a scheduled training operation conducted over the Azov Sea, the crew of the aircraft experienced a sudden emergency in the cockpit. A component known as a hotline, situated near the right engine, became detached. This failure allowed high-temperature air to escape and spread into the right wing area, which subsequently triggered the onboard fire alarm.
In the immediate aftermath of the alarm, the crew attempted to respond to the perceived threat. However, during the emergency procedures, both engines were inadvertently shut down. This loss of power caused the aircraft to lose necessary airspeed and altitude. The flight ended when the plane impacted the surface of the sea approximately 12 km from Obitochnaya.
Findings
- The incident was precipitated by a mechanical failure involving a broken hotline near the right engine.
- The crew mistakenly shut down both engines while attempting to manage the fire alarm and resulting heat spread.