[1] 14 of the 16 crew members on board (and the only occupants of the aircraft) were killed, making the crash the deadliest aviation accident involving the Ilyushin Il-86.

According to Vadim Sanjarov, the Administrative Director of Sheremetyevo Airport, the plane took off at a speed of 350 km/h (220 mph; 190 kn) and began to climb normally.

Two seconds after takeoff however, both horizontal tail stabilizers suddenly moved to the full-up trim position.

[4][5][6][7] The aircraft then banked left, stalled, and crashed into the ground, exploding and bursting into flames on impact.

Some people believed that due to the lack of cargo and passengers, engine speed exceeded the permissible rate, which led to its breakdown.

[4] Although shaking could be a sign of exceeding the maximum allowable angle of attack and loss of speed, which immediately preceded the stall.