Night Approach Accident at Moscow-Domodedovo (CCCP-42486)

Accident Overview and Immediate Sequence of Events The aircraft departed Kutaisi and completed an uneventful flight before beginning its descent to Moscow-Domodedovo under nighttime conditions with good weather. During the approach, at an altitude of 1,300 feet, the airplane banked left to an angle of 75 degrees and then nosed down. It crashed in a large explosion into a potato field located 16.3 kilometers from the runway threshold. The aircraft disintegrated on impact, and all 122 occupants were killed. ## Official Probable Cause The official investigation determined that the loss of control on approach resulted from the failure of the artificial horizons, which was caused by a malfunction of the on-board electrical system. The combination of night conditions, lack of visibility, and flight instrument failure led the pilot to experience spatial disorientation, resulting in the eventual loss of control.