What happened
During the approach phase to Calabozo Airport, an unauthorized individual entered the cockpit of the aircraft. This person, identified as a Russian national, reportedly attempted to take control of the flight. During the ensuing confrontation, the individual threw a grenade onto the floor of the cabin.
The resulting explosion caused the aircraft to lose stability and fall out of control. The plane subsequently crashed approximately 15 km from the airport, impacting the ground and catching fire. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the airframe and led to 13 fatalities among everyone on board.
Findings
Investigations into the wreckage confirmed that there were no mechanical issues or structural defects present prior to the incident. The aircraft had been kept in proper working order, with no evidence of component failure or maintenance negligence. The investigation concluded that the primary factor leading to the loss of control and subsequent crash was the detonation of an explosive device inside the cockpit.