Moscow-Vnukovo Test Flight Crash (CCCP-L1313)

Flight Details and Initial Conditions The aircraft departed Moscow-Vnukovo at 1535 local time for a local test flight, carrying eight crew members, including pilots and engineers. After takeoff, the crew lost orientation due to poor weather, with a ceiling of approximately 100 meters and horizontal visibility estimated at 2 to 4 kilometers. ## Flight Progression and Approach Despite the deteriorating conditions, the crew continued the flight over the capital for several hours to complete the test program. Visibility later dropped to 400 meters in fog and rain. During a night approach to runway 24, the aircraft was misaligned, prompting the pilot in command to initiate a go-around. ## Crash and Casualties Minutes later, on a second approach, the aircraft was too low and struck trees located 1,275 meters short of runway 24. The aircraft stalled and crashed, resulting in total destruction. All eight occupants were seriously injured, and the captain, copilot, and flight engineer died from their injuries hours later.