Russian Air Force crash kills 15

A Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76MD transport aircraft travelling from Ivanovo Severny Air Base (UUDI) to Plesetsk Air Base has crashed near Ivanovo Severny Air Base killing all on board. Video footage of the aircraft taking off from Ivanovo Severny Air Base shows a fire in the No. 4 engine.

The main version is a technical malfunction. The crew reported a fire in the fourth engine, the blades of which came out, damaging the systems. While attempting to return to the air base, the engine completely separated from the aircraft. The aircraft subsequently crashed in a wooded area near a cemetery.

A spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Defence stated that there were eight crew members and seven passengers on board. Five of the crew members were attached to the 117th Orenburg Military Transport Aviation Regiment.

The aircraft was equipped with legacy Soloviev D-30 engines from the Soviet era, as opposed to the newer Aviadvigatel PS-90 engine used on new-build aircraft (Il-76MD-90A).

The circumstances of this crash are similar to the accident of another Il-76 back on the 24th of June 2022:

A Russian Air Force Ilyushin Il-76MD cargo plane crashed near Ryazan and was destroyed by fire. Five crew members died in that crash while four were injured. Shortly after takeoff the air traffic controller reportedly observed a fire in engine no.4. The Il-76 touched down in a field and rolled until it struck trees. The aircraft broke up and burst into flames. Local media report that one engine was found in a field about 1 km before the accident site.

THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND THOSE AT THE RUSSIAN AIR FORCE