On 19 August 1996, the aircraft crashed into a corn field 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) northeast of Belgrade International Airport's runway in Yugoslavia, killing all 11 people on board.

About 15 minutes after takeoff, as Flight 3601 reached Valjevo, Yugoslavia, the batteries began to drain completely.

The crew made several attempts to conduct an emergency landing at Belgrade, unsuccessful due to night and difficult weather conditions.

Many Belgrade residents saw the plane fly over the city and observed that there were no lights active on the aircraft.

The aircraft plummeted into a corn field as it attempted an emergency landing at Belgrade International Airport, exploding and killing the Russian crew of 11.