What happened
During the initial climb phase following departure from Krasnoyarsk-Cheremshanka Airport, the aircraft reached an altitude of 2,040 meters while traveling at 480 km/h when a critical malfunction occurred. The third engine experienced an uncontained failure, which subsequently ignited a fire. In response to the emergency, the crew requested and received permission to perform an emergency return to the airfield.
As the aircraft was on its final approach, it began a right-hand bank before the nose pitched downward. The aircraft struck the ground approximately 3,200 meters before reaching the runway threshold at a speed of 425 km/h. The impact caused the airframe to disintegrate. The accident resulted in 110 fatalities and one serious injury.
Findings
Investigations into the incident identified that the primary failure originated from the right engine's first-stage low-pressure compressor disk, which suffered a fatigue failure caused by manufacturing and metallurgical defects. This failure triggered the fire. The spread of the flames to the second engine and the right wing was exacerbated because the crew failed to close the fuel valve during the emergency procedures.