The aircraft, while attempting to take off from Berlin Schönefeld Airport, East Germany, crashed into obstacles on the ground at the end of its takeoff, costing 21 lives.

The aircraft was cleared for takeoff on runway 25L and the engines were adjusted to a derated thrust level due to the airplane's low weight at departure of 113 tons.

The plane entered a 40 cm (16 in) deep construction pit, causing the main landing gear to collapse.

The aircraft then collided with a water tank, concrete portions of the fence that surrounds the airport, a road embankment and six trees.

Contributing to the crash was the locking of some of the flight controls; whether this was due to a mechanical issue or the crew missing a step could not be proven.