Accident Sequence
Less than three minutes after takeoff from Leningrad-Pulkovo Airport, while in initial climb, the crew reported the failure of engine number 4 to air traffic control, declared an emergency, and received clearance to return. Approximately three minutes later, engine number 4 caught fire and exploded. On final approach, the aircraft went out of control, nosed down by an angle of 60°, and crashed in a huge explosion in an open field located 2,480 meters short of the runway. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, with most debris found 242 meters to the right of the extended centerline. None of the 109 occupants survived the crash.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined that the third stage of the high pressure turbine disintegrated two minutes and 53 seconds after takeoff. The engine then exploded three minutes later, and some debris impacted the right aileron, which was jammed in a down position while the left aileron was in an up position. This asymmetric situation contributed to the loss of control on short final.