[1] Due to adverse weather conditions, the scheduled flight from Minsk to East Berlin diverted to Prague.

The controller warned the crew in English that this was a test, but due to the lack of English language proficiency among the Aeroflot flight crew, the radio operator understood that this meant that the airplane was to land on runway 25R.

The error was noticed on the ground, but the warnings went unnoticed for some time due to discussion among the crew.

Once the crew realized their mistake, they rapidly changed course and engaged the autopilot, but without increasing the thrust of the aircraft's engines.

In all, all 9 crew members and 63 passengers (including 20 of the 27 schoolchildren from class 10A of the Schwerin high school) lost their lives.