ATI Aircompany

Ilyushin II-76

The aircraft was engaged in a cargo flight from Ras al-Khaimah to Mykolaiv, carrying eight crew members and a load of various goods among them few tons of water melons. Following a night takeoff from runway 34 at a speed of 235 km/h, the aircraft reached the altitude of 150 metres at a speed of 365 km/h then continued to 160 metres at a speed of 400 km/h. The crew raised the flaps in five steps when the aircraft entered an uncontrolled descent with a rate of 12 metres per second until it impacted the sea at a speed of 485 km/h about 16 km from the airport, some 800 metres offshore. The aircraft disintegrated on impact and all eight occupants were killed.