Accident Details
The flight departed on a normal takeoff roll from runway 24R, with the copilot at the controls. The airplane lifted off at a speed of 290 km/h. Visibility was poor due to night conditions and marginal weather.
Less than a minute after takeoff, while climbing, the airplane rolled to the right to an angle of 60-70°, and airspeed increased to 580 km/h. The captain took over control as the airplane initiated an uncontrolled descent. The aircraft crashed at a speed of 620 km/h in a huge explosion near the village of Klushino, approximately 10 km northwest of the airport, three minutes after takeoff.
Impact and Casualties
The aircraft disintegrated on impact. All 73 occupants on board were killed.
Probable Cause
The official investigation determined the probable cause to be loss of control during initial climb after the crew suffered spatial disorientation in poor visibility due to the failure of the artificial horizon. This may have been caused by the failure of the 36-volt electrical system.