Accident Overview
An aircraft recently transferred from the Soviet Air Force to Aeroflot was traveling from Sverdlovsk (now Yekaterinburg) to Moscow-Bykovo with a planned intermediate stop in Kazan. The aircraft was undergoing technical modifications, including updated documentation and a new fuselage color scheme.
Sequence of Events
En route, the right engine failed. The captain decided to return to Sverdlovsk but could not maintain a safe altitude. The crew jettisoned some cargo; however, several boxes struck the door, and one remained partially blocked, creating additional drag. The aircraft lost altitude, struck trees, and crashed in a wooded area near Didino, approximately 65 kilometers west of Sverdlovsk-Koltsovo Airport. The aircraft was destroyed. Three crew members sustained injuries, and the fourth occupant was killed.
Investigation Findings
The official investigation determined the probable cause of the accident. The right engine failed in flight due to fuel starvation. The fuel selector had been connected to the left rear tank, which was empty. Only 200 liters of fuel were added to that tank prior to takeoff, and the crew failed to switch the fuel selector to another suitable tank during the flight. Additionally, the crew did not take appropriate measures to maintain safe control of the aircraft with one engine inoperative. The captain maintained an insufficient speed of 150 km/h instead of the required 170 km/h, which contributed to the loss of altitude.