Il-114 crash details begin to emerge suggesting aircraft flew when others were grounded

Published: 12/7/1999

The Il-114 crash at Domodedovo, on Sunday 5th December, is throwing up a number of versions of events, both in Uzbekistan and in Moscow. Sources report that the aircraft, which was the fifth Il-114 to be built by TAPO, was on a test flight from the Moscow to Tashkent and was supposed to be carrying a maximum load of concrete blocks, rather than the aviation equipment reported by the Moscow media. The reasons for the crash appear to fall into two categories: weather conditions and engine failure. The weather conditions at Domodedovo were poor on the night of the crash. East Line, which is based at the airport, had ceased to fly, owing to the high gusty winds. The Il-114 was reported as being airborne after takeoff, but was having problems climbing and struck a concrete fence some 400 metres from the runway. There are unconfirmed reports from the airport"s ATC that the captain reported difficulties in climbing as he took off and in maintaining level flight. Another version of events emerging is that the aircraft had problems with the pitch of its propellers during the takeoff, so causing the crew to lose control of the aircraft. With the flight recorders reportedly in tact, the investigation should reveal the cause of the crash. There has, however, been extensive criticism by pilots from its only operator, Uzbekiston Havo Yullary, of the cargo version of the Il-114: the Il-114T. They claim that, with a maximum takeoff weight of 23500kg, it is seriously underpowered with its Klimov TV7-117S (2,466shp), which has led to increasing interest in the P&W version of the aircraft that flew in March of this year. For TAPO, about to refit the crashed aircraft prior to embark on a marketing trip to China, the accident has proved to be both tragic and untimely.

Article ID: 1184