Narrative:Prior to departure of the flight from Chardzou (now Türkmenabat) to Urgench, the captain was observed consuming multiple glasses of vodka.
He ordered the copilot to perform the takeoff while staying in the passenger cabin himself. During the flight he harassed a female passenger and asked the passengers for vodka.
He then entered the cockpit and commented on the copilot, eventually taking over control. He brought the plane in a dive from which the copilot recovered.
During another dive, the copilot and flight engineer took over control. During the manoeuvre the propellers had touched the ground. The aircraft climbed 100 m but both engines lost power. A forced landing was carried out during which the aircraft broke up. All 4 crew members and all passengers escaped unhurt.
Classification:
Flightcrew member's alcohol, drug usage
Forced landing outside airport
Sources:
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Soviet Transports
Photos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does
not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Chardzhou Airport to Urgench Airport as the crow flies is 373 km (233 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.