What happened
Shortly before 16:45 local time, a Legacy aircraft departed Moscow-Sheremetyevo Airport, bound for St Petersburg-Pulkovo. The flight was operated by the Wagner Group and was carrying a total of ten people, consisting of three crew members and seven passengers.
While maintaining a cruising altitude of FL280, the aircraft began an uncontrolled descent. Radar data indicated that the plane entered a spiral pattern as it fell toward the earth. During this descent, visual evidence showed the aircraft emitting white and grey smoke. The plane eventually struck an open field in the vicinity of Kuzhenkino, where the impact caused the airframe to burst into flames. The crash resulted in 10 fatalities, with no survivors reported.
Findings
- The aircraft entered a spiral descent while at cruise altitude.
- Visible smoke was observed emanating from the aircraft during its final descent phase.