Accident Overview
On final approach to Stalingrad-Gumrak Airport during nighttime conditions, an aircraft experienced a loss of control at an altitude of 400 meters. The airplane banked to the right and subsequently crashed at a speed of 300 km/h into a snow-covered field located approximately 5 kilometers from the threshold of runway 24. The impact resulted in the total destruction of the aircraft, and no post-crash fire occurred.
Fatalities and Damage
All 25 individuals on board the aircraft were killed in the accident. The aircraft was completely destroyed upon impact.
Investigation and Findings
An official investigation into the accident was conducted by relevant authorities. The exact cause of the accident could not be determined with certainty. However, the possibility that the aircraft was mistakenly shot down was not ruled out. Investigators found five round holes with diameters of 10 mm and 35 mm in the flight deck. Additionally, various metallic fragments that were foreign to the aircraft's structure were discovered above the captain's head and embedded in his left thigh. It is believed that these fragments originated from arms being fired from a military training facility located beneath the approach path.
Probable Cause
The official probable cause statement indicates that while the precise cause remains undetermined, the evidence suggests a potential involvement of gunfire from a ground-based training facility. The investigation did not conclusively establish the origin of the fragments or the cause of the loss of control.