Flight Departure and Fire Alarm
The aircraft departed Syktyvkar Airport at 0955LT bound for Moscow. The climb proceeded in normal weather conditions. Twelve minutes after departure, while cruising at an altitude of 5,600 meters, the fire alarm for the rear cargo compartment activated in the cockpit. The flight engineer was dispatched to the rear of the cabin to check the situation and returned less than two minutes later, confirming that smoke was spreading.
Crew Actions and Delays
Instead of declaring an emergency and informing air traffic control according to published procedures, the captain decided to inspect the rear of the cabin with the flight engineer. The crew attempted to extinguish the fire but were unsuccessful. They returned to the cockpit, and in the meantime, the aircraft continued to climb to 6,700 meters. More than four minutes after the fire alarm activated, the captain contacted ATC and declared an emergency. The aircraft was cleared to return to Syktyvkar, at which time it was about 140 km from Syktyvkar Airport.
Emergency Descent and Crash
The captain initiated an emergency descent. At an altitude of 1,200 meters, flaps and landing gear were lowered. The crew realized they would not be able to reach Syktyvkar Airport and attempted an emergency landing on land. In reduced visibility due to rain, the aircraft struck trees, losing both wings, and crashed 340 meters further in a dense wooded area, bursting into flames.
Rescue and Investigation
Four crew members and 34 passengers were rescued, while 54 other occupants were killed. The aircraft was totally destroyed by impact forces and fire. Investigators were unable to determine the exact source of the fire due to the extensive destruction. The crew attempted to extinguish the fire without success, and smoke spread throughout the cabin, asphyxiating occupants who lost consciousness or died before the accident.