Fatal training flight accident near Krechevitsky Air Base

7 fatalities • Novgorod, Russia • Flight

A military training mission ended in a fatal crash after an electrical system failure caused the aircraft to enter an uncontrolled dive.

What happened

During a local training mission departing from Krechevitsky AFB, the crew was performing low-altitude material drops. Following these maneuvers, the pilot attempted to increase altitude but encountered significant issues with the onboard electrical system. During this period, the aircraft's pitch increased to 26 degrees and climbed from 940 meters to 1,300 meters within a very short timeframe.

Shortly thereafter, the aircraft abruptly pitched down to an angle of 55 degrees, entering a high-speed descent. The plane struck the ground at approximately 570 km/h near the area between Rogavka and Kerest, located roughly 32 km northwest of the departure airbase. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate, resulting in seven fatalities among the crew.

Findings

Investigations suggest that a failure within the electrical system occurred during flight, with the possibility that a lightning strike may have triggered the malfunction. At the time of the incident, weather conditions were poor and visibility was restricted. The primary factor in the loss of control was spatial disorientation experienced by the pilot-in-command following the electrical failure.

Probable cause

The pilot lost control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation following an electrical system failure, potentially caused by lightning.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 1989-08-10 Ilyushin II-76 accident near Novgorod, Russia?

A military training mission ended in a fatal crash after an electrical system failure caused the aircraft to enter an uncontrolled dive.

Were there any fatalities in the 1989-08-10 Ilyushin II-76 accident?

The accident was fatal, resulting in 7 fatalities.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 1989-08-10 involved a Ilyushin II-76, registration CCCP-86718, operated by Soviet Air Force - Voyenno-vozdushnye sily CCCP, at Novgorod, Russia.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot lost control of the aircraft due to spatial disorientation following an electrical system failure, potentially caused by lightning.

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