Investigation Summary
The aircraft had arrived at Vnukovo from Simferopol earlier that evening and was prepared for the return leg. Shortly after takeoff, while climbing through approximately 1,200 meters, a bomb detonated in the cabin. The explosion was specifically located on the floor under seat 45, involving hand baggage. While the investigation initially suggested the bomb might have been in the luggage compartment, it was later clarified that the device was placed in hand luggage on the cabin floor. The resulting structural damage was catastrophic: the left fuselage was breached, left wing supports were compromised, and the critical control linkages to the tail section were severed. This rendered the aircraft uncontrollable. As the Tu-104B descended in a steep right bank, the cargo hold collapsed at an altitude of 150 to 200 meters, ejecting passenger seats and debris. The main wreckage impacted the ground at a high speed of 550 to 600 km/h with a 90 degree right bank. Investigators recovered fragments of TNT and noted fire damage on debris that had fallen prior to the main impact, confirming the sabotage theory.
Final Conclusions
The investigation determined the cause of the crash was the detonation of an improvised explosive device containing 400 to 800 grams of TNT. The bomb was placed in hand luggage on the cabin floor. The investigation was officially closed in 1973; while the mechanism of the crash was fully understood, the individual responsible for placing the bomb was never identified.
Photographic Evidence (1)
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Control Cables
Mechanical linkages connecting the cockpit controls to the tail surfaces; these were severed by the explosion, leaving the pilots unable to pitch or yaw the aircraft.
Fuselage Structure
The left side of the fuselage and left wing supports were significantly damaged by the blast, contributing to the rapid roll and loss of altitude.
Interesting Facts
- 01The bomb contained between 400 and 800 grams of TNT.
- 02The explosion occurred on the cabin floor, likely under seat 45.
- 03The aircraft was a Tupolev Tu-104B originally built for 100 passengers but converted to 115.
- 04Among the 25 fatalities was Soviet film actress Raisa Zvereva.
- 05A policeman was on board the flight but was officially counted as a passenger.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Enhanced Pre-flight Screening
Following a series of bombings and hijackings in the early 1970s, Soviet authorities intensified the inspection of hand luggage and increased the presence of plainclothes security officers on domestic flights.