What happened
A cargo flight operating from Moscow to Taiyuan, China, via Norilsk and Bratsk, crashed during its departure phase. The aircraft, carrying a payload of 40.2 tons of construction materials, was also transporting two passengers and eight crew members. At the time of the accident, heavy fog had significantly degraded visibility, with horizontal ranges between 500 and 900 meters and vertical visibility as low as 70 to 80 meters.
During the takeoff roll, which spanned approximately 2,700 meters, the captain initiated rotation at a speed of 290 km/h, which was roughly 25 km/h higher than the recommended procedure. At an altitude of approximately 10 meters, the pilot-in-command executed a 7-degree right turn to correct a leftward deviation experienced during the takeoff roll. As the aircraft reached an altitude of 23 to 24 meters, the stabilizer position shifted from -5.4° to -3.9°, leading to a loss of altitude. Just before the collision, the elevator reached a pitch angle of 11-12°. At an altitude of 20 to 21 meters, the number 3 and number 4 engines on the right side struck trees located 930 meters from the runway end. The impact caused both engines to separate from the airframe. The aircraft subsequently crashed into a wooded area 1,460 meters beyond the runway end, where it caught fire. The accident resulted in 10 fatalities.
Findings
- The takeoff was performed in conditions of extremely low visibility due to fog.
- The rotation speed was performed significantly above the recommended parameters.
- A corrective maneuver involving a right turn was initiated at a very low altitude.