Cargo Flight Crash in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (CCCP-L1440)

Departure and Weather Conditions The crew initiated a cargo flight to Moscow via Kiev at 0750 local time. At the time of the accident, weather conditions included an overcast layer between 100 and 200 meters, mist, and visibility estimated between 2 and 4 kilometers. The source states that for an unknown reason, the crew decided to start the flight under visual flight rules (VFR) in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). ## Loss of Orientation and Crash After departing, the crew lost almost immediately their sense of orientation while cruising southbound at an altitude of 150 meters. The pilot-in-command elected to return, but the aircraft crashed on a wooded hill located 7.5 kilometers south of the airport. All seven occupants were killed. ## Probable Cause The official findings identified the probable cause as loss of control while flying under VFR in IMC conditions.