Investigation Summary
The flight from Warsaw was routine until it reached the vicinity of Moscow, where it encountered weather significantly worse than the forecasts provided at departure. The conditions included a very low ceiling, heavy turbulence, driving rain, and lightning. After passing Klimentievo at 400 meters, the crew reported seeing the ground and was cleared by Vnukovo Air Traffic Control to descend to 300 meters for an instrument approach. At 11:07 p.m. local time, the pilots acknowledged the clearance but subsequently deviated from the standard approach path. The aircraft impacted the terrain approximately 4.5 kilometers northeast of the airport at 11:10 p.m. Three American journalists who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash assisted in the rescue of the four survivors, including the sole surviving crew member, flight attendant Ewa Fedorowska. Among the fatalities was Sonomyn Luvsan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia.
Final Conclusions
The investigation, conducted by Polish and Soviet experts and concluded on 20 June 1957, found that the aircraft was fully airworthy and the crew was properly experienced. The primary cause was the crew's application of an approach procedure other than that prescribed by Vnukovo Aerodrome, leading to flight at an excessively low altitude. Unforecasted severe weather conditions at night were cited as a significant contributing factor.
Video Analysis
No video analysis linked for this case file yet.
Airframe & Maintenance
Systems & Failure Modes
Shvetsov ASh-82T Engines
The aircraft was powered by two of these radial engines, which were found to be functioning adequately and producing high power at impact.
Instrument Approach Procedure
The specific set of maneuvers prescribed by Vnukovo Aerodrome for landing in low visibility, which the crew failed to follow.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft was carrying 819 kg of mail and cargo in addition to passengers.
- 02The engines were found to be operating at power levels exceeding usual operational settings at the moment of impact.
- 03The weather forecast at both airports predicted better conditions than those actually encountered.
- 04The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia was among the five passengers killed.
- 05The investigation was completed just six days after the accident.