What happened
During a local training mission at Panevėžys-Pajuostis AFB, the crew was performing a series of touch-and-go maneuvers. Approximately 14 minutes after the start of the flight, the aircraft completed a touch-and-go and began an ascent. Upon reaching an altitude of 230 feet, the aircraft entered a cloud layer, at which point the crew lost control of the plane.
The aircraft subsequently entered a steep nose-down descent, falling at a rate of 7,800 feet per minute. The aircraft struck a wooded area located 3.7 km from the airfield at a speed of 275 knots. The impact caused the aircraft to disintegrate. There were eight fatalities among the crew members. At the moment of impact, all four engines were operating at full power.
Findings
- The aircraft entered clouds during the climb phase.
- Loss of control occurred immediately after entering the cloud layer.