What happened
On May 26, 2008, an Antonov An-12BP, registration RA-12957, operated by Moskovia Airlines, was performing flight 2063. The flight plan involved a series of stops including Moscow (Bykovo), Chelyabinsk, Perm, Irkutsk, Ufa, and returning to Moscow (Bykovo). The mission was intended to facilitate technical maintenance of the aircraft at various intermediate airfields. To assist with these tasks, two engineering specialists were included in the flight manifest.
The flight crew consisted of a captain/instructor, a co-pilot, a navigator/instructor, a flight engineer, a radio operator, a checking radio operator/instructor, and a flight operator. Prior to departure from Moscow (Bykov and), the crew underwent medical examinations and pre-flight preparations under the supervision of the airport's duty navigator and the airline's flight operations management.
At the time of departure from Bykovo at 09:30, the aircraft was carrying 9,500 kg of special cargo and 11,000 kg of TS-1 fuel. The total takeoff mass was approximately 57,100 kg, with a center of gravity of 24.2% MAC, which was within the permitted limits for the Antonov An-12. The first leg of the flight to Chelyabinsk proceeded without incident, and the aircraft arrived at Chelyabinsk (Balandino) at 12:14, where the special cargo was unloaded.