Accident
A positioning flight operated on behalf of the 235th Separate Aviation Detachment for the Soviet Government ended in a crash shortly after departing Moscow-Domodedovo Airport. The aircraft had just completed an uneventful service from Krasnoyarsk and was scheduled to reposition to Moscow-Vnukovo Airport.
Less than two minutes after takeoff from Domodedovo, while climbing at night, the pilot-in-command initiated a left turn in accordance with published procedures. Shortly thereafter, control of the aircraft was lost. The airplane entered a dive and struck the ground in an open field approximately 3 kilometers past the end of the runway, exploding upon impact. The aircraft disintegrated, and debris scattered over an area measuring 650 meters in length and 180 meters in width. All eight crew members on board were killed.
Investigation
The official investigation was unable to determine the exact cause of the accident. Evidence showed that all four engines were functioning properly at the time of impact. Some vibrations may have occurred on both wings, possibly related to issues with the ailerons. However, no definitive conclusion was reached.