What happened
During a nighttime departure from Lviv-Snillyow Airport, the aircraft experienced a critical mechanical failure in its left engine. While the plane was in its climbing phase, an intense fire broke out within the engine compartment. This malfunction caused the flight crew to lose control of the aircraft, which subsequently crashed and exploded in the vicinity of Vinniki, located approximately 12 km east of the departure airfield. The impact caused the airframe to disintegrate, and all 17 fatalities were recorded among the occupants.
Findings
Investigations into the accident identified a structural failure within the left engine's first-stage high-pressure turbine. Specifically, a turbine blade detached from its housing shortly after the aircraft rotated for takeoff. The breakdown was attributed to a manufacturing defect involving improper thermal treatment, which left the component with insufficient hardness and resistance compared to required technical standards.
This mechanical failure led to an immediate loss of power in the left engine. As the blade disintegrated, debris entered the turbine chamber and severed a fuel line. The resulting high-pressure fuel leak ignited upon contact with hot engine components, creating the fire that ultimately rendered the aircraft uncontrollable.