What happened
The flight departed from Rostov-on-Don Airport at 14:55 local time. By 15:14, the aircraft had climbed to its assigned altitude of 8,400 meters. Following instructions from air traffic control to avoid oncoming traffic, the crew increased their altitude to 9,000 meters, reaching the new level at 15:16.
During the cruise phase, which was occurring in favorable weather conditions, the crew transmitted a series of unusual radio messages. The first transmission included the number '45' followed by an extended silence. This was followed by a second message containing the number 'zero', and a third message where the pilot shouted the number '12'. Immediately after these communications, contact with the aircraft was lost as it entered a steep dive.
The descent saw the plane reach speeds of 950 km/h while banking left at an angle of 75 degrees. The aircraft eventually struck a cornfield situated approximately 90 km from Dniepropetrovsk and 57 km from Krementchug. The force of the impact created a large crater, and there were no survivors.
Findings
Investigations into the crash yielded several key observations regarding the state of the aircraft prior to impact:
- There was no evidence of an in-flight collision.
- No fire was detected on board the aircraft before it hit the ground.
- No military activities were being conducted in the vicinity at the time of the accident.
- Both engines were found to be operating at idle speed at the moment of impact.