What happened
On December 4, 2010, the flight crew arrived at Makhachkala airport between 04:45 and 05:00 to prepare for flight DAG 371/372. Following required rest periods, the cabin crew completed medical examinations by 05:10, and the flight crew finished their medical checks by 05:35. After completing all pre-flight duties and receiving necessary meteorological consultations and flight documentation, the captain determined that 19 tons of fuel were required for the mission.
The flight was planned from Makhachkala to Moscow (Vnukovo) with Nizhny Novgorod as the alternate airport. During pre-flight preparations, no malfunctions or issues regarding the aircraft systems or equipment were reported by either the flight or cabin crews. The aircraft, an Il-76, departed Makhaciaala using a takeoff configuration with flaps set at 28 degrees and engines operating in nominal mode. At the time of departure, the aircraft's takeoff weight was 89,637 kg, and the center of gravity was 26.79%, both of which were within the permitted operational limits for this aircraft type.
The investigation
Initial records indicate that the engine start, taxiing, and takeoff procedures were performed without deviation from standard operating procedures. The investigation noted that the takeoff mass and center of gravity were within the maximum takeoff weight of 100,000 kg and the allowable center of gravity range of 21-32%.