Accident Details
On a night departure from Sverdlovsk-Koltsovo Airport, the aircraft was cleared to climb to 1,500 meters. Air traffic control instructed the crew to initiate a left turn. During the turn, the aircraft first banked left to an angle of 35–40 degrees. At an altitude of 1,200 meters, the left bank angle increased to 75–80 degrees, and control was lost. The aircraft entered a dive and crashed in a wooded area located 10 kilometers from the airport. The impact caused a large explosion and the aircraft disintegrated. None of the 108 occupants survived.
Weather Conditions
At the time of the accident, weather conditions were marginal. Visibility was limited to 6 kilometers, with an overcast ceiling at 800 feet. Wind was from the northwest at 15 knots, and light rain was falling.
Probable Cause
The investigation determined that the loss of control during initial climb resulted from a failure of the artificial horizons due to a malfunction of the on-board electrical system. The combination of night conditions, reduced visibility, and flight instrument failure caused the pilot to experience spatial disorientation, leading to the loss of control.