Fatal Test Flight Crash Near Moscow (CCCP-77111)

Background and Flight Details The aircraft, built by the Voronezh Aircraft Factory, left the plant on April 27. Test flights were conducted on April 27, May 12, 16, and 18. On May 23, the crew completed a fifth test flight from 1111LT to 1307LT without incidents. Later that day at 1730LT, the crew departed Ramenskoye Airport near Moscow for a series of tests on engines, generators, cabin airtightness, and aircraft stability and controllability at 12,000 meters. ## Incident Sequence After completing the checks, the crew reduced altitude to 3,000 meters and tested the auxiliary power unit (APU). For the next two minutes, engines 3 and 4 were shut down as part of the test program. About a minute after engine 4 was shut down, a burning smell was detected in the cabin, followed by smoke spreading through the air conditioning system and then thick black smoke. ## Emergency Landing The captain decided to return to the departure point but quickly realized it was impossible. He reduced altitude and attempted an emergency landing in a pasture. At a speed of 380 km/h and an estimated height of four to six meters, the aircraft struck and cut between 70 and 100 trees before falling to the ground. It then slid for about 620 meters before coming to rest in flames, approximately 46 kilometers southeast of Ramenskoye runway 30 threshold. ## Casualties Six crew members were rescued, while two engineers were killed.